Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and associated risk factors in smallholder pig production systems in Mbeya region, southern highlands of Tanzania

Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis in slaughtered pigs, goats, and sheep in Tanzania

“…Uncertainties regarding prevalence, economic losses for farmers and complications with cross-reactions in serodiagnostics highlight the importance of obtaining information on the distribution and prevalence of the parasite, especially in Taenia solium co-endemic areas. The presence of T. hydatigena has been documented in sheep, goats, and pigs in Tanzania (Kusiluka et al 1995;Mellau et al 2011;Ngowi et al 2004), but no studies have so far been conducted in Mbeya Region which is highly endemic for T. solium (Braae et al 2014;Komba et al 2013;Mwanjali et al 2013). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. hydatigena in slaughtered small ruminants (goats and sheep) and pigs in Mbeya, Tanzania.…”

Awareness concerning optimal pig production management and animal welfare among smallholder farmers in Tanzania

“…Limited resources prevent some farmers from keeping more than one pig, but this problem might be solved by instigating part-ownership farms. Although smallholder pigs in this study had, on average, more space compared with pigs from high intensity farms (1.0-1.3 m 2 for grower/finisher pigs) (Knoesen et al 1993), stocking density obtained in this study might have been biased by the large reduction of the pig population caused by an outbreak of African swine fever just prior to the study. Pigs confined in a poorly constructed shelter without roof and with limited access to shade during the warmest part of the day.…”

“…When not left to roam, pigs are kept either in pens or tethered. Studies relating to disease prevalence within these two systems have been performed (Ngowi et al 2004;Braae et al 2013;Komba et al 2013;Kabululu et al 2015), but no studies have assessed farmer awareness of proper pig management in a rural smallholder setting of Tanzania, although welfare issues among farm animals in Tanzania have been described in general (Wilson 2013). An animal's welfare can be evaluated using the Five Freedoms: (1) Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Science in the Service of Animal Welfare Table 1 Farmer responses to questions related to pig management issues within two types of production systems.…”

Taenia solium porcine cysticercosis in Madagascar: Comparison of immuno-diagnostic techniques and estimation of the prevalence in pork carcasses traded in Antananarivo city

“…Recent village-based surveys in other African countries revealed porcine cysticercosis prevalence as high as 41% (Assana et al, 2010;Eshitera et al, 2012;Ganaba et al, 2011;Komba et al, 2013;Ngowi et al, 2010;Pondja et al, 2010;Praet et al, 2010). Thus, villagebased studies may be necessary to gain a better understanding of the overall burden of porcine cysticercosis in Madagascar.…”