Projects in Botswana

Towards Understanding Snail-borne Zoonotic Parasite Diagnosis and Transmission in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Project team: M. Barson, N. Mabika and K. Muzarabani

This study aims to determine the zoonotic potential of trematode parasites of aquatic animals and related human health risks in the Okavango Delta. Freshwater snails serve as vectors of parasitic diseases such as fascioliasis in livestock, diplostomiasis in fish and schistosomiasis in humans. Currently there is limited knowledge on their diversity in the Delta and the parasites they transmit. This study will assess the association between water quality and the species diversity of snails from the Delta, as well as the prevalence of trematode parasite species in fish and snails from these sites.

Integrative microscopy and molecular techniques will be used to identify larval parasites in snails and compare them to metacercariae and adult parasites in fish and to GenBank sequences of other animal and human parasites to establish their zoonotic potential. Histopathological lesions associated with parasitic infection in fish will also be assessed. Furthermore, indigenous knowledge on these snails and their parasites in livestock, wildlife and humans will be investigated though interactions with the surrounding local communities. Risk factors of the snail-borne parasites to human, animal and environmental health will be determined, thus demonstrating the application of the One Health concept. This information will be useful for combating zoonotic diseases in aquatic animals, livestock and wildlife, safeguard public health and ensure sustainabile conservation of biodiversity in Botswana and its transboundary neighbours. This project will build capacity through mentoring a Master of Philosophy student, two bachelor student research assistants, field and laboratory training of several technicians, as well as local stakeholders.