Professor Courtney Martin ("Tubby") Veary

A giant in the field of Veterinary Science, the father of Meat Hygiene and a leader in Veterinary Science passed away in June 2021 after a long illness. Tubby Veary is no more, but his legacy lingers on... Without him Meat Science in South Africa would never have progressed to where it is. He improved abattoir grading and initiated a system of inspection. His actions made him a leader in the promotion of livestock welfare, specifically at abattoirs, which were previously absolutely hellish. His collection of photographs of meat inspection are a significant part of the history of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Faculty.Obituary of Prof CM Veary. The obituary includes information about his education and career, scientific contributions and writings, homages and distinctions.ab202

The accessibility to oral health services in Lesotho’s public health sector

Lesotho is a land-locked mountainous country in Southern Africa. Both geography and poverty impact on dental health in low-income patients. Information on the number and function of dentists and dental therapists in public hospitals, are lacking. The aim was to investigate accessibility to oral health services. Objectives were to investigate the number and geographical distribution of oral health personnel and document the availability of dental services in Lesotho. A cross-sectional mixed methods study design was used. Four dental therapists of the six employed by the government, participated in in-depth interviews. Questionnaires about access to oral health services were administered to government employed dentists. The Lesotho National Department of Oral Health provided information regarding dental patient statistics between 2017 and 2019. It was found that 20 dentists and 10 dental therapists provided limited dental services in public facilities. In 2017, 2018 and 2019; the annual numbers of dental patients were 85 776, 75 148 and 97 425 respectively. Approximately 40% of patients visited two hospitals in Maseru. It was concluded that there was a shortage of oral health personnel, resulting in inadequate access to dental services, particularly in rural areas

The Socio-Economic Benefit of the Livestock Traceability System on Communal Beef Farmers in Swaziland

In this article, Swaziland is placed in the forefront as a small African country that implemented a livestock traceability system to benefit both communal and commercial farmers. The communal farmers are also able to export beef to European countries, markers that were previously unavailable to them, due to the successful implementation of the Swaziland Livestock Information and Traceability System (SLITS).  Livestock traceability is briefly explained to align it with the importance of safe food production for human consumption and a few aspects are highlighted. The traceability systems is further explained in terms of its benefit to the rural economy, its role in growing the GDP and the realization of its aims as was initially expected by the Swazi Government. The data collection methods used were a document review, a case study and five interviews. It is concluded that livestock traceability systems should be adopted wider by other developing countries as it has a direct effect on the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the rural poor. Its development and implementation remains very expensive, but Swaziland can be used as an example of a country that is able to reap the rewards from a commodity that is ample in their country, but scarce globally, leading to wider food sustainability

Retrospective analysis of the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in sheep in the Karas Region of Namibia

In this retrospective study, complete Brucella serology data from the annual national brucellosis testing program and disease investigation for the years 2008-2010 was collated and analyzed to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in sheep in the Karas Region of Namibia. A total of 22994 serological results from 762 flocks screened using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and confirmed using the Complement Fixation Test (CFT) were analyzed. An overall prevalence of 0.14% was recorded over the three years. Yearly prevalence was 0.19% (2008), 0.05% (2009) and 0.18% (2010). At district level, brucellosis prevalence was estimated to be between 0% and 0.49%. On positive farms (n=32), prevalence was between 2.25% and 30%. True prevalence was zero at district level and in all the three study years. We concluded that the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in sheep was low taking into account that some farmers may have vaccinated against the disease. The low prevalence confirms the effectiveness of existing brucellosis control measures implemented by the official veterinary services.http://link.springer.com/journal/112502016-08-31hb201

Assessment of levels of V, Cr, Mn, Sr, Cd, Pb and U in bovine meat

Pollution of the environment with heavy metals can be a serious problem. In SouthAfrica, particularly, there are many sources of heavy metals, often due to smelter and mining activities. This has led to toxic metals in the environment that directly affect air, water and food. The presence of heavy metal residues in foodstuffs is potentially hazardous to humans and animals. Heavy metals accumulate in certain organs, particularly in the liver and kidney. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of V, Cr, Mn,Sr, Cd, Pb and U in bovine organs and tissues obtained from polluted areas of North West Province, South Africa. Bovine liver, kidney, muscle, fat and bone samples were freeze-dried, homogenized and mineralized using a microwave-assisted digestion system. The levels were quantified using dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS). A bovine muscle (NIST-RM8414) and bovine liver, reference material (NIST-RM1577b), were also analyzed and results agreed with certified values. The study revealed accumulation of Sr in bone, Cd, Pb and U in kidney and bone, Mn in liver and, V and Cr in kidney tissues of cattle.Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and National Research Fund (NRF).http://journals.sabinet.co.za/sajchem/nf201

Designing a risk communication strategy for health hazards posed by traditional slaughter of goats in Tshwane, South Africa

In African societies, traditional slaughter is linked to celebrations like weddings or births, as well as funerals and ancestor veneration. Participants in traditional slaughter of goats are at risk of exposure to hazards during slaughter, food preparation and consumption of goat meat. For risk mitigation strategies to be implemented, identification of the population at risk is required. This study is based on the premise that the demographic profile of people involved in traditional slaughter of goats is important for risk communication. Both structured and informal interviews were recorded and analysed using a thematic analysis. A total of 105 people were interviewed at taxi ranks in Tshwane, Gauteng. Of these, 48 were women and 57 men. The median age of women and men was 40.6 years and 44.3 years, respectively. The majority of respondents (61.9%, n = 65) interviewed were from the Gauteng Province. Sixty percent (n = 63) of respondents had a secondary education, whilst less than 4.81% (n = 5) of respondents had no formal education. This study demonstrated that interviewing commuters at taxi ranks gave access to a cross section of gender, age, language and origin. It was found that both genders were involved in traditional slaughter of goats. Risk communication strategies should thus target women as well as men. Communication strategies to mitigate the risks of traditional slaughter of goats should take into consideration the dynamic nature of demographic and cultural norms. In light of the wide demographic profile of the respondents, it was concluded that it should be possible to use taxi ranks for successful dissemination of food safety and occupational health risk mitigation messages.Funding from the International Livestock Research Unit Safe Food Fair Food Project and the National Research Foundation is gratefully acknowledged. This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201

Seroepidemiological study of Johne's-disease in diary cattle in Umbria, Italy

A total of 788 serum samples from dairy cattle in Umbria, Italy, were tested for the presence of antibodies to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The sampled animals came from 19 herds representative of the central area of the Umbria county (Perugia and Assisi districts). Using the manufacturer suggested cut-off for a positive test, 44 animals (5.6%) were positive. Using the sensitivity and specificity claimed by the manufacturer of the ELISA kit, the true prevalence in Umbria dairy cattle overall was calculated as 9.7% (99% CI, 7.0%, 12.4%).Grants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), Directorate General for Cultural Promotion and Cooperation, Italy, Executive programme of scientific and technological co-operation between the Italian Republic and the Republic of South Africa 2007-2010.http://www.aspajournal.it/index.php/ijas/indexam201

Standarization of cassava mahewu fermentation and assessment of the effects of iron sources used for fortification

Cassava root is the main staple for 70% of the population in Mozambique, particularly in inaccessible rural areas, but is known to be low in iron. Anaemia is a public health problem in mothers and preschool children in Mozambique and up to 40% of these cases are probably due to dietary iron deficiency. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognize the fortification of foodstuff as an effective method to remedy dietary deficiencies of micronutrients, including iron. Cassava mahewu, a non-alcoholic fermented beverage is prepared at subsistence level from cassava roots using indigenous procedures. The aim of the study was to standardize mahewu fermentation and investigate if the type of cassava fermented, or the iron compound used for fortification affected the final product. Roots of sweet and bitter varieties of cassava from four districts (Rapale, Meconta, Alto Molocue and Zavala) in Mozambique, were peeled, dried and pounded to prepare flour. Cassava flour was cooked and fermented under controlled conditions (45°C for 24 h). The fermentation period and temperature were set, based on the findings of a pilot study which showed that an end-point pH of about 4.5 was regularly reached after 24 h at 45°C. Cassava mahewu was fortified with ferrous sulfate (FeSO4.7H2O) or ferrous fumarate (C4H2FeO4) at the beginning (time zero) and at the end of fermentation (24 h). The amount of iron added to the mahewu was based on the average of the approved range of iron used for the fortification of maize meal. The mean pH at the endpoint was 4.5, with 0.29% titratable acidity. The pH and acidity were different to those reported in previous studies on maize mahewu, whereas the solid extract of 9.65% was found to be similar. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast growth were not significantly different in mahewu fortified with either of the iron compounds. There was no significant difference between cassava mahewu made from bitter or sweet varieties. A standard method for preparation and iron fortification of cassava mahewu was developed. It is recommended that fortification occurs at the end of fermentation when done at household level.The Graca Machel Scholarship Fund, the National Research Foundation and the Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria.http://ajfand.netam2016Food SciencePharmacologySchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Scrotal tick damage as a cause of infertility in communal bulls in Moretele, South Africa

Calving rate in communal cattle influences both food security and socio-economics in rural households. A previous study indicated that scrotal damage caused by ticks could affect the fertility of communal bulls and reduce the annual calving rate. The objectives of the study were to investigate the annual calving rate in communal herds by counting calves during herd visits, perform breeding soundness examinations on bulls and identify adult ticks attached to their genitalia. This prospective longitudinal survey was based on participatory rural appraisal. Calving rates were estimated in cows (n = 2398) from 100 randomly selected communal herds in Moretele over 12 months in 2013, during routine visits by animal health technicians. Randomly selected bulls (n = 50) from these herds were tested for Brucella abortus, Trichomonas foetus and Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis. The calving rate was 35.86% (0.359). The mean scrotal circumference was 37.63 ± 3.42 cm. Total sperm motility was 78.73 ± 35.73%; progressive sperm motility was 27.39 ± 15.81% and non-progressive sperm motility was 51.34 ± 19.92%. Thirty-five of the 38 bulls examined for breeding soundness exhibited severe scrotal and preputial lesions caused by the adult ticks Amblyomma hebraeum and Hyalomma rufipes. Tick control methods used included spraying (n = 20), pour-on (n = 11), no control (n = 1) and various (n = 18). It was concluded that in Moretele genital tick damage had a more serious impact on the fertility of communal bulls than contagious diseases. Targeted acaricidal spot treatment of the genitalia of communal bulls to prevent infestation is recommended, as tick control strategies used by farmers appeared to be inadequate.The University of Hohenheim in Germany and the National Research Foundation.http://www.jsava.co.za/index.php/jsavapm2020Animal and Wildlife SciencesProduction Animal Studie

Assessment of welfare issues during traditional slaughter of goats in Pretoria, South Africa

Goats are traditionally slaughtered to celebrate marriages and births; venerate the ancestors; address personal problems or during funerals. The objective of this study was to assess animal welfare issues associated with the traditional slaughter of goats in and around Pretoria, South Africa. Participatory research methods were used to interview 105 respondents. Four of those interviewed were visited to observe the slaughter process. The most common method of transport was a vehicle (47%), followed by on foot (30%). The distance travelled (68%) was usually <10km, and in all cases <50km. The most common (57%) method of restraining goats during transport was by tying all four legs together. While, during slaughter the head and legs of the goat were held by assistants (55%). Prior to slaughter, the majority of goats were tied under a tree (66%). In total, 97% of the goats were slaughtered within 24 hours and no stunning was performed. In this study, animal welfare problems were widespread and research should be undertaken to find practical ways of addressing animal welfare issues during traditional slaughter.The International Livestock Research Institute-Safe Food Fair Food Project and the National Research Foundation.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/haaw202017-08-15hb2016Paraclinical SciencesSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH