Intake, Relative Palatability Indices and Blood Parameters of Vetch Varieties as a Component of Goat Diet

Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the feed intake, relative palatability indices and blood parameters of vetch varieties as a component of goat diet. The field and palatability study was carried out at the North West University, Molelwane Farm, North West province, South Africa. Ten weaner goats (16 ±2 kg) were used in this experiment. Four feeds (Vicia sativa – common & volga vetch ), Vicia villosa Roth (haymaker plus vetch) and buffalo hay grass were used in this experiment and each goat was exposed to these treatment diets. A cafeteria feeding method was used, allowing goats free access to the diet of their choice. A one-way ANOVA (SAS, 2010) was used to test the feed intake, relative palatability and blood profiles. Haymaker plus and Buffalo grass hay had the lowest palatability index. The diet intake was positively predicted from palatability (r2 = 0,661; p=0.0001). Goats that were fed vetch had their RDW levels higher (P \u3c 0.05) in comparison to goats that were grazing There were no significant (P \u3c 0.05) differences in the total protein and albumin concentrations in goats fed vetch and those grazing outside. Based on intake, palatability and blood profiles it shows that goat preferred Volga and common vetch over the Haymaker plus vetch. Supplementing with the vetch legumes showed an improvement to the blood profiles of the goats. Thus, vetch can be used as a protein supplement to low roughage grasses which may bring an overall productivity of these ruminants

Waterborne outbreak of gastroenteritis on the KwaZulu-Natal Coast, South Africa, December 2016/January 2017

An unexpected increase in gastroenteritis cases was reported by healthcare workers on the KwaZulu-Natal Coast, South Africa, January 2017 with >600 cases seen over a 3-week period. A case–control study was conducted to identify the source and risk factors associated with the outbreak so as to recommend control and prevention measures. Record review identified cases and controls and structured-telephonic interviews were conducted to obtain exposure history. Stool specimens were collected from 20 cases along with environmental samples and both screened for enteric pathogens. A total of 126 cases and 62 controls were included in the analysis. The odds of developing gastroenteritis were 6.0 times greater among holiday makers than residents (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–17.7). Swimming in the lagoon increased the odds of developing gastroenteritis by 3.3 times (95% CI 1.06–10.38). Lagoon water samples tested positive for norovirus (NoV) GI.6, GII.3 and GII.6, astrovirus and rotavirus. Eleven (55%) stool specimens were positive for NoV with eight genotyped as GI.1 (n = 2), GI.5 (n = 3), GI.6 (n = 2), and GI.7 (n = 1). A reported sewage contamination event impacting the lagoon was the likely source with person-to-person spread perpetuating the outbreak. Restriction to swimming in the lagoon was apparently ineffective at preventing the outbreak, possibly due to inadequate enforcement, communication and signage strategies.https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection2019-01-01hj2018Medical Virolog