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Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016)
Dissertation (MsC (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2019.
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Qekwana, Daniel Nenene |
| author_browse | Qekwana, Daniel Nenene |
| author_facet | Qekwana, Daniel Nenene |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MsC (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110464 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:50.639Z |
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| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110464 Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016) Qekwana, Daniel Nenene relebohilelepheane@gmail.com Oguttu, James Wabwire. Lepheana, Relebohile J. UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Temporal Spatial Anthrax Lesotho Outbreaks Dissertation (MsC (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. Background: Despite anthrax being endemic in Lesotho, limited information is available on the epidemiology of the disease. Therefore, this study investigated the temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks and cases in the ten districts of Lesotho. Methods: The present study used secondary data of anthrax outbreaks and cases reported to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) from 2005 and 2016. Outbreaks and cases were geocoded at the village level and aggregated at the district level. Proportions of anthrax outbreaks and cases and their corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and compared across the year, season, month and region using the Chi-square test. However, when more than 20% of the cells had expected frequencies of < 5, Fisher’s exact test was used. Autoregression model was used to evaluate annual trends of anthrax outbreaks and cases. Global Moran’s I was used to assess the spatial autocorrelation of anthrax outbreaks and cases. Cartographic maps were used to display the distribution of anthrax outbreaks and cases at village and district level in ArcGIS 10.5 (Esri 2016, United States). Results: While no outbreaks were reported in the Highlands, a total of 38 outbreaks correlating to 526 cases were reported in the Lowlands districts of Lesotho. Maseru district had the highest proportions of outbreaks (52.6%) and cases (70.2%) Significantly (p=0.0004) higher proportions of anthrax outbreaks (78.9%) and cases (95.1%) were reported in the rainy-hot season compared to the dry-cold season. There was a significant association (p<0.0001) between cases and species affected, with the majority of cases (70.3%) reported in cattle. Out of 38 outbreaks that were reported, at village level, 18% (n=7) of outbreaks were in Maseru Urban followed by Ratau (16%, n=6), and Mofoka (13%, n=5). The highest proportion of cases over the population at risk were reported in Leribe district (14.3%) with the least proportion of cases (0.2%) reported in Mohale’s Hoek district (Table 4.2 and Figure 4.5). Among the villages, Mahobong had the highest proportion of cases 20.0%, followed by Pitseng 12.5%, and Kolo 10.5% (Table 4.2 and Figure 4.6). The result of the Moran’s I indicated no spatial autocorrelation at the village level in the Lowlands districts (I=- 0.199518; p-value=0.3684). Conclusion: The burden of anthrax in Lesotho was significantly higher in cattle compared to other species. Outbreaks were restricted to the Lowlands districts and occurred mainly in the hot-rainy season. The prevalence of anthrax outbreaks was higher in certain villages of Leribe, Mafeteng and Maseru. Therefore, anthrax control programs in Lesotho should focus on the high-risk areas and population to curb future outbreaks Paraclinical Sciences MsC (Vet. Science) Unrestricted Faculty of Veterinary Science SDG-03: Good health and well-being SDG-15: Life on land 2026-06-08T09:41:29Z 2026-06-08T09:41:29Z 2019-04 2018-09 Dissertation * A2019 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110464 N/A en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Temporal Spatial Anthrax Lesotho Outbreaks Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016) |
| title | Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016) |
| title_full | Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016) |
| title_fullStr | Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016) |
| title_short | Temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in Lesotho (2005-2016) |
| title_sort | temporal and spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks in lesotho 2005 2016 |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Temporal Spatial Anthrax Lesotho Outbreaks |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110464 |