Browsing by Author "Hikufe, Emmanuel H."

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    Causes, patterns, and economic implications of carcass condemnation of cattle slaughtered at Oshana region, North of Namibia based on post-mortem inspection
    (Journal of Food Quality and Hazards Control, 2020-12-01) Mbiri, Pricilla; Mushonga, Borden; Madzinga, Charles; Madzingira, Oscar; Samkange, Alaster; Hikufe, Emmanuel H.; Kandiwa, Erick; Kamwi, Jessey Alice
    Background: Meat inspection is one of the essential tools for ensuring good quality and safe meat. The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass condemnation of cattle slaughtered in Oshana region, North of Namibia. Methods: In this 4-year retrospective study, causes, patterns, and economic implications of carcass condemnation of cattle slaughtered in Oshana region, North of Namibia were evaluated based on post-mortem inspection procedure. The SPSS software version 25 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Overall, 0.37% (120 out of 32 648) beef carcasses were condemned during the period of this study. The major causes of condemnation of carcasses were bruising (60 out of 120; 50%), followed by pus contamination. The condemnation rate in female cattle (65%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than male cattle (35%). Overall, a significantly greater number (p<0.05) of carcasses were condemned in summer (74.2%) than in winter (25.8%). Conclusion: This study identified bruising, pus contamination, and cachexia as the major causes of bovine carcass condemnation in North of Namibia and showed that carcass condemnation rate varied with the year, season, and age. (11) (PDF) Causes, Patterns, and Economic Implications of Carcass Condemnation of Cattle Slaughtered at Oshana Region, North of Namibia Based on Post-Mortem Inspection. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347958128_Causes_Patterns_and_Economic_Implications_of_Carcass_Condemnation_of_Cattle_Slaughtered_at_Oshana_Region_North_of_Namibia_Based_on_Post-Mortem_Inspection [accessed Jun 25 2021].
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    Rabies sero-survey in vaccinated domestic dogs and knowledge assessment of rabies among dog owners, Ohangwena region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2016) Hikufe, Emmanuel H.
    Rabies kills over 55,000 people worldwide annually of which about 97% die resulting from the bite(s) of rabid dogs. Despite the free annual vaccination of dogs in Namibia and Ohangwena region in particular, rabies is still on the increase in both animals and humans. We conducted this study to establish the level of protection against rabies in the vaccinated domestic dogs through antibody testing. Furthermore, the study assessed the level of people’s knowledge on rabies. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A random sample of 170 sera was collected from the dogs after one year from the previous vaccination. We tested sera at the Central Veterinary Laboratory using the BioPro Rabies ELISA test kit and defined rabies protective antibody titre as titres ≥0.5IU/mL. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Epi info 7 and Microsoft excel. Among the 170 dogs, 136 (80%) acquired protective antibody titres (95% CI: 73.2%-85.7%). The majority of samples came from dogs younger than 3 years 90(53%). However, dogs older than 3 years maintained rabies protective antibodies better than the younger dogs (87% versus 74%), Chi2= 4.2, df=1, P=0.04. About 88% of dogs that received repeated vaccinations (boosters) over the years maintained protective antibodies compared to only 74% of dogs that received a single vaccination a year ago without a booster (P= 0.03). Eighty (80%) of the vaccinated dogs maintained protective rabies antibodies. High level of protective antibodies was observed more in older dogs and dogs that received booster vaccinations over the last three years. We recommend rabies vaccination to be conducted twice per year and forceful vaccination be instituted for stray dogs and dogs that are difficult to handle during the campaigns. Cooperation among relevant stakeholders should be instituted to ensure effective rabies control.