SUA research boosts disease surveillance across Africa
MOROGORO: RESEARCH by the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has strengthened disease surveillance and supported efforts to control animal and infectious diseases in the country and across Africa.
Speaking while outlining the achievements of the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the college’s Principal, Professor Esron Karimuribo, said the institution’s research has contributed to advances in veterinary science, disease surveillance and public health since it was established in 1976.
He said one of the college’s major contributions came during the 2020– 2021 Covid-19 pandemic, when its researchers supported the National Laboratory in confirming the country’s first Covid-19 case involving a woman who had arrived from Europe carrying the virus.
Prof Karimuribo said the college has also developed technologies that have strengthened disease surveillance, including the Traveller’s Health System, which has improved screening and detection of infectious disease risks at airports.
He said the college’s research has also advanced the control of bovine tuberculosis, a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans through the consumption of unboiled or inadequately boiled milk.
“For many years, health experts believed tuberculosis was transmitted only through the air. Our research demonstrated that infection can also occur through contaminated milk, making an important contribution to understanding the disease and strengthening public health interventions,” Prof Karimuribo said.
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He said the college has also supported disease control efforts in several African countries by providing technical expertise and training. According to Prof Karimuribo, a team of SUA researchers assisted a neighbouring country in strengthening its response to the Covid-19 pandemic after being invited to provide technical support.
“When Covid-19 emerged, the college mobilised its researchers to support laboratory diagnosis and surveillance, contributing to the country’s response to the pandemic,” Prof Karimuribo said.
He said that in 2023, the Government of Guinea requested veterinary disease surveillance experts from SUA to help strengthen its animal disease surveillance system. Prof Karimuribo, who led the assignment, said the team introduced the AfyaData mobile application, which is now being used to improve disease reporting and surveillance in the West African country.
He said the college’s research and innovations continue to support efforts to strengthen public health systems and improve preparedness and response to disease outbreaks within the country and across the African continent.
