MSc

1. The sero-prevalence of AHS in donkeys sampled after the heavy rains was estimated at 35.2% (70/199) for the two divisions, while that for the dry season was estimated at 26.7% (55/199). The prevalence of AHS in donkeys during the two periods was 31% (125/398). There was a statistically significant difference in the two prevalences (Z=2.89). The prevalence of AHS in the donkeys that were re-sampled in Kambaa, decreased from 60% (18/30) in May/June to 20% (6/30) in August/September. This difference (Z=4.47) indicates that donkeys are not long term carriers of AHSV or fewer vectors during the dry season. There was a poor level of agreement between ELISA test results and clinical presentation of the illness as only 3 cases were presented with clinical signs of a swollen head and congested conjunctival mucosa. These 3 cases had detectable antibodies to the virus, the poor agreement was with the other 67 cases positive on ELISA test but with absence of clinical signs. Further studies need to be carried out to determine the duration that AHSV antibodies remain present in donkeys.
2. Division and sub-location were controlled in the mixed models logistic regression analysis of the risk factors. In the univariate analysis, age of the donkeys, presence of a water stream, source of the donkey, donkey use, vaccination status and housing were the statistically significant variables and were thus included in the multivariate analysis. Age of the donkey (p-value 0.02) and presence of a water stream (p-value 0.03) were significant risk factors and might have contributed to the high prevalence of AHS among donkeys in Kambaa and Rwamburi sublocations. This meant that older donkeys (9-12yrs) and those grazing near water streams were two times more likely to be exposed to AHSV. A water stream likely favoured increased vector(s) population, and transmission of the AHSV.
3. A small proportion, 21.9% of questionnaire respondents knew of AHS. 8.2% were familiar with the clinical signs of swollen head and congested conjunctival mucosa and 9.5% reported severe body weakness as a sign of the disease. The low level of awareness of AHS among household members may be attributed to lack of previous dissemination of information on the disease. Many respondents reported donkeys with AHS clinical signs as having been poisoned, bitten by snakes or suffering from sudden pneumonia – in hindsight these donkeys may have been AHS cases. Low public awareness of the disease may be resulting in under-reporting.

Stable fly abundance increased over the course of the summer with peak numbers occurring in September. A high degree of variation in abundance was observed between different trapping sites. Multiple factors appear to affect their local abundance including availability of breeding sites, weather and availability of hosts.  Through pteridine flourescence analysis it was established that there appears to be a continuous emergence of adults throughout the season rather than discrete age-related cohorts.  Population peaks reflected overlapping generations.  Mass trapping for fly population control was not an effective method for supressing the stable fly population.