Browsing by Author "Changula Katendi"

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Biosecurity Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Cage Aquaculture: A Study of Fish Health and Disease Risk Management on Lake Kariba, Siavonga, Zambia
(2025-5-25) Ndashe Kunda; Changula Katendi; Walubita Nasilele; Miyanda Maiba; Mutanuka Evans; Songe Mwansa M.; Banda Humphrey; Hang’ombe Bernard Mudenda
Cage aquaculture in Lake Kariba, Zambia, is critical to the region’s fish production but faces significant challenges in disease outbreaks. This study assessed the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of aquaculture producers in Siavonga concerning fish health and disease risk management. Data were collected through structured interviews with 14 producers, representing small, medium, and large-scale farms. The study aimed to identify gaps in biosecurity awareness and practices, particularly in relation to disease prevention and control. The results showed that knowledge of biosecurity and disease risks was predominantly low across all farm scales. Specifically, 90% of small-scale producers and 100% of medium-scale producers exhibited low knowledge, while 50% of large-scale producers showed low knowledge. Attitudes toward biosecurity were generally negative, with 90% of small-scale producers holding negative attitudes, compared to 50% of large-scale producers who demonstrated positive attitudes. The implementation of disease management practices was more consistent in medium- and large-scale operations, with 100% of large-scale farms following moderate to good practices, compared to 100% poor practices in small-scale farms. Significant gaps in adherence to best biosecurity practices were observed, particularly in small-scale farms. For instance, 60% of small-scale farms did not follow quarantine procedures, and only 20% assessed disease risks pre-movement. In contrast, 100% of large-scale farms implemented quarantine measures and assessed disease risks before moving fish. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve biosecurity knowledge and practices, especially among small-scale producers, who constitute 71.4% of the respondents. Training, resource allocation, and policy enforcement are crucial to addressing these gaps and mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks that threaten the aquaculture sector’s sustainability in Lake Kariba.
Clinico-Pathology and Therapeutic Management of a Primary Atypical Extra-Genital Ocular Transmissible Venereal Tumour in a Dog in Lusaka, Zambia
(2025-1-3) Matale Mubita; Hankanga Careen; Phiri Farai; Chipolo Mercy Mfula; Mwandabantu Mawini; Changula Katendi; Pandey Girja Shanker
Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT) is a contagious cancer commonly found in the genitalia of dogs, with rare extra-genital presentations, such as cutaneous, oral, nasal, and ocular forms. Extra-genital CTVT cases, especially in the ocular region, are infrequently reported, often leading to diagnostic challenges and underdiagnosis in regions with high prevalence.A two-year-old male German Shepherd mix was presented to the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, with a red, lobulated mass originating from the third eyelid of the right eye, causing partial vision loss and continuous lacrimation. Initial clinical examination suggested ocular squamous cell carcinoma. However, cytology and histopathology findings from a tissue biopsy revealed round and ovoid neoplastic cells with large pleomorphic nuclei, leading to a definitive diagnosis of primary ocular CTVT. The dog exhibited no genital involvement or evidence of tumour spread to other sites. The dog was treated with vincristine sulphate administered intravenously in six doses over six weeks. Following the second dose, the patient experienced leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, decreased appetite, and weight loss, all common side effects of vincristine. Supportive care, including antibiotics, fluid therapy, and appetite stimulants, was provided, resulting in improved condition. By the end of the treatment, the ocular mass had completely regressed, vision was restored, and the dog remained in remission with no recurrence observed after twelve months. This case represents the first reported instance of primary ocular CTVT in Zambia without genital involvement. The successful use of vincristine sulphate highlights its efficacy in treating extra-genital CTVT forms. Given CTVT’s potential for atypical presentations, it is crucial for veterinarians in endemic areas to consider it in the differential diagnosis of extra-genital ocular masses to prevent under diagnosis and ensure timely treatment.
Evidence of multiple bacterial, viral, and parasitic infectious disease agents in Mastomys natalensis rodents in riverine areas in selected parts of Zambia
(2025-12-31) Munjita Samuel Munalula; Kalonda Annie; Mubemba Benjamin; Vanaerschot Manu; Tato Cristina; Mwakibete Lusajo; Tembo John; Chitanga Simbarashe; Changula Katendi; Kajihara Masahiro; Muleya Walter; Sawa Hirofumi; Takada Ayato; Bates Matthew; Munsaka Sody; Simulundu Edgar
Modeling the Non-Monetary Societal Burden of Tick-Borne Diseases for Cattle: A Case Study of East Coast Fever in the Traditional Cattle-Keeping Households of Namwala District of Zambia.
(2022-11-3) Mwila Natasha; Mumba Chisoni; Salih Omran; Sichibalo Karen; Simulundu Edgar S; Changula Katendi; Chitanga Simbarashe
The study aimed at estimating the disease burden of East Coast Fever (ECF) among rural cattle-keeping households of Namwala District of Zambia using Productivity Adjusted Life Years (PALYs). We modified Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) equations for humans to PALYs to estimate the societal burden of tick-borne animal diseases. We used a structured questionnaire to collect data on parameters that feed into PALY equations and then coded and entered data from the questionnaires directly into the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Version 20). Further, we entered the estimated values of PALY parameters into mathematical calculus software called integral calculator (https://www.integral-calculator.com/). We then used the integral calculator to calculate PALY equations, which we used to estimate the societal disease burden of ECF in cattle. Productivity Adjusted Life Years calculations were done in three categories; PALYs without discounting and age weighting, PALYs with only discounting, and PALYs with discounting and age weighting.Results revealed that the years of the productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox that suffered from ECF were estimated at 15, 10, and 15 years, respectively. In the second category, the years of productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox were seven, six, and seven years, respectively. In the final category, the years of productivity lost by a cow, bull, and ox were five years. East Coast Fever caused a total of 517,165 PALYs in Namwala District. The quality of life reduced in years due to disability (YLD) caused by ECF per cow, bull, and ox was 0.07, 0.07, and 0.02 per cent of their life expectancy, respectively. The estimated values for the years of a lifetime lost due to mortality (YLL) caused by ECF were 35%, 49%, and 35% of the life expectancy per cow, bull, and ox. These results are essential for measuring outcomes of animal health problems in terms of PALYs. The findings are helpful in the future projections for the future burden of any disease and can be used as a basis in policy and decision-making, particularly priorities in animal health research. We recommend that a classification of animal diseases of national economic importance should consider both the societal burden (non-monetary) and economic impact instead of the common practice of only considering the economic (monetary) impact.
Pathological and Microbiological Diagnosis of Cutaneous Blastomycosis in a Four Months Old Dog in Zambia
(2022-7-5) Yabe John; Luswili Caesar; Hang’ombe Bernard M.; Changula Katendi; Ndambasia Daniel; Muwowo Mutinta Mweemba; Mubanga Maron; Mulenga Evans
Background: Blastomycosis is usually a systemic fungal disease, most commonly diagnosed in dogs and humans. Cutaneous involvement primarily results from hematogenous spread, but in rare cases, direct inoculation can occur. Case presentation: The current report describes a case of a four month old male dog presented with cutaneous lesions caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis without pulmonary or disseminated disease. Diagnosis was achieved through histopathology and culture. Surgical debulking associated with systemic therapy with oral itraconazole resulted in significant remission of the lesion. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of cutaneous blastomycosis reported in an animal in Zambia. Conclusions: Accurate diagnosis of the disease in dogs is of public health importance as canine blastomycosis can be a presage of the disease in humans
Potential Causes of Acaricide Resistance in Rhipicephalus and AmblyommaTicks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Namwala District, Zambia
(2022-1-3) Sichibalo Karen; Changula Katendi; Mumba Chisoni; Mwila Natasha; Chibesa Kennedy; Mubemba Benjamin; Nalubamba King S; Muleya Walter; Simulundu Edgar; Chitanga Simbarashe
Acaricide resistance in ticks poses a great threat to livestock production in many parts of the world where ticks are a problem. The objectives of this study were to screen for acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma ticks using phenotypic and molecular assays, and to assess current tick control practices used by cattle farmers in the traditional sector of Namwala District. The larval packet test was used to screen for acaricide resistance in ticks covering concentrations up to twice the discriminatory dose for amitraz, diazinon and cypermethrin. Genetic mutations associated with resistance to amitraz (A22C-T8P and T65C-L22S), and organophosphates/ pyrethroids (G1120A) were screened using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Information on tick control practices at the household level was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Intermediate resistance (21-50%) to amitraz and cypermethrin was detected in both Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma ticks, with both tick genera showing susceptibility to diazinon (<10%). None of the ticks in this study had the reported acaricide resistance-conferring molecular markers that were screened for. The findings suggest that the resistance detected in the studied tick population may be due to other mechanisms yet to be identified. Tick control practices observed amongst the farmers, such as the incorrect use of acaricide concentrations and rotations, could be fuelling the development of acaricide resistance. Considering that acaricide treatment is the mainstay of tick control in the country, it is thus, critical to comprehensively unravel the factors contributing to treatment failure as this would allow for the application of appropriate remedial actions for effective tick control in Zambia.