Debswana gives UB P1.2 million to develop animal vaccines

Correspondent | Wednesday June 10, 2015 15:53

These diseases that are endemic and normally attack ruminants are Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Rabies and Pestes des Tetits Ruminants (PPR).

The project, funded by Debswana to the tune of P1.2 million for a three year period, is being conducted in partnership with the Botswana Vaccine Institute, the National Veterinary Lab and the Pitzer College in the United States. This funding exemplifies Debswana’s dedication to uplifting the lives of Batswana, supporting government programmes and investing in the future of our country.

As currently, vaccines for Lumpy Skin Disease, Rabies and Pestes des Tetits are very expensive, it is hoped that the development of this technology by local researchers, will make them affordable to Botswana farmers in future.

The principal investigator of the research project, Dr Sununguko Wata Mpoloka, said UB partnered with Pitzer College in the United States because they have an established long-term student exchange programme with the college. It was therefore a natural progression that the partnership was now moving to scientific exchanges.

Mpoloka said Pitzer College had a proven cost effective technology that could easily be adopted to help develop vaccines for these diseases locally. The project is entering a crucial phase of animal trials. Previous small scale laboratory tests have shown signs of potential success on animal models. Now for the next six months, the researchers plan to scale up these tests and challenge cattle in partnership with the Botswana Vaccine Institute. According to the project co-investigator, Dr Melvin Leteane, “the results obtained from these trials will inform us on the merits of our current strategy, both in terms of the safety and efficacy of the candidate vaccines. Also, this research project will be sustainable in the long term because of the inbuilt capacity building, skills and technology transfer in the partnership with Pitzer College”.

Debswana’s Corporate Citizenship Manager, Barulaganye Mogotsi, says that “the research project is not only commensurate with the vision of the University of Botswana but it also reaffirms Debswana’s Corporate Social Investment policy which is aimed at creating a legacy of prosperity and sustainability by partnering with local communities”.