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University of Maryland

Publication Date

Spring 2019

Program Name

Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

Abstract

Northern Tanzania has experienced several anthrax outbreaks in the recent past. In Monduli district, an outbreak in 2016 prompted an organization of district officials to create an updated outbreak response action plan. The pastoralist community is often affected by these outbreaks due to their frequent direct contact with cattle and herds’ proximity to wild species potentially affected by the disease. This characterization of the existing systems of reporting and mitigating anthrax outbreaks was accomplished through structured interviews with ward and village officers, local veterinarians, and members of the pastoralist community in Monduli district near Mto wa Mbu. The purpose of this study was to identify the main successes and challenges of anthrax biosecurity implementation are in the area. The resulting record of recognizable similarities and differences in knowledge about anthrax and its reporting contributes to the body of knowledge that can be drawn upon for future decisions on resource and time distribution in designing biosecurity in Monduli district. The main challenges identified included lack of exchange between livestock professionals (read: livestock officers and veterinarians) and rural pastoralist communities, cultural practices related to livestock consumption, and lack of awareness of annual vaccination.

Disciplines

African Studies | Animal Sciences | Health Communication | Health Policy | Infectious Disease | Public Health | Rural Sociology | Social and Cultural Anthropology

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