The government is putting much effort into dissuading vulnerable people from following extremists’ proclamations
Tsetse flies have plagued sub-Saharan Africa for ages. The
winged insect’s bite can kill both animals and humans as well. Now
researchers in Kenya seem to have found a remedy.
One of East Africa's tourist highlights is seeing Massai ethnic nomads
in their traditional red attires, leading herds of cattle in search of
pasture. Cows are an important aspect for the Maasai community. They
are not only a source of food but they also provide income for the
family.
Drought as well as lack of water and grazing land have always been major challenges for Massai herders, but another enemy made this mix deadlier: The tsetse fly.
ICIPE scientists say the repellent collar is as good as the smell from waterbucks
According to Nguya Maniania, a Congolese scientist who works at the
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Kenya's
capital Nairobi, insects also carry bacteria, fungi and viruses, just
as humans do. "The good news is that not all the germs the insects carry
are dangerous to humans," Maniania said. Still, he regards tsetse flies
as a formidable opponent.
A bite that increases the plight
Tsetse flies can transmit a deadly disease known as Nagana. Three million heads of cattle die annually in Africa as a result of this infection. Nagana kills the animals not only faster, but makes them produce fewer calves and milk beforehand. Consequently cattle owners yield less meat from affected animals.
Kenya had previously conducted numerous campaigns to exterminate tsetse flies, but with little success. Since using chemicals on a large scale to fight the insects is out of the question, Nagana continued to reduce the number of animals and thereby contributed to a rise in poverty rates.
Waterbucks are among the few wild animals the tsetse fly can't stand
Now a solution appears within reach. Scientists from ICIPE have
discovered a tsetse fly repellent taken from waterbucks. "We identified
this chemical because we know that tsetse flyies do not feed on
waterbucks," says Rajinder Kumar Saini, head of the Animal Health
Division and Principal scientist at ICIPE.
The waterbuck compound is put in a dispenser that forms part of a collar worn by cattle. The repellent doesn't have to be placed only around an animal's neck. Saini says that it can be placed anywhere in the farm.
The simple device has reduced tsetse bites by as much as 90 percent.
Noticed beyond Kenyan borders
Farmers have noticed a difference between protected and unprotected herds, Saini says. "The waterbuck compound is not very expensive. One can buy it from the market and mix it in the ratio needed," he adds.
The European Union, which largely funded the project, requested ICIPE to find commercial partners, who could take up production of the repellent. The Kenya Research Development Institute has so far taken up production. A Swiss company has agreed to expand and evaluate the possibility of using such compounds for other flies worldwide.
Author: Asumpta Lattus / cm
Editor: Daniel Pelz / rm
Drought as well as lack of water and grazing land have always been major challenges for Massai herders, but another enemy made this mix deadlier: The tsetse fly.
ICIPE scientists say the repellent collar is as good as the smell from waterbucksA bite that increases the plight
Tsetse flies can transmit a deadly disease known as Nagana. Three million heads of cattle die annually in Africa as a result of this infection. Nagana kills the animals not only faster, but makes them produce fewer calves and milk beforehand. Consequently cattle owners yield less meat from affected animals.
Kenya had previously conducted numerous campaigns to exterminate tsetse flies, but with little success. Since using chemicals on a large scale to fight the insects is out of the question, Nagana continued to reduce the number of animals and thereby contributed to a rise in poverty rates.
Waterbucks are among the few wild animals the tsetse fly can't standThe waterbuck compound is put in a dispenser that forms part of a collar worn by cattle. The repellent doesn't have to be placed only around an animal's neck. Saini says that it can be placed anywhere in the farm.
The simple device has reduced tsetse bites by as much as 90 percent.
Noticed beyond Kenyan borders
Farmers have noticed a difference between protected and unprotected herds, Saini says. "The waterbuck compound is not very expensive. One can buy it from the market and mix it in the ratio needed," he adds.
The European Union, which largely funded the project, requested ICIPE to find commercial partners, who could take up production of the repellent. The Kenya Research Development Institute has so far taken up production. A Swiss company has agreed to expand and evaluate the possibility of using such compounds for other flies worldwide.
Author: Asumpta Lattus / cm
Editor: Daniel Pelz / rm
e·dict (ē'dĭkt')
n.
- A decree or proclamation issued by an authority and having the force of law.
- A formal pronouncement or command.
[Latin ēdictum, from neuter past participle of ēdīcere, to declare : ē-, ex-, ex- + dīcere, to speak.]
I
A lamasery
with hanging gardens.
Battle pictures.
Thoughts stand unmoving
like the mosaic tiles
in the palace yard.
Up along the slopes
under the sun – the goats
were grazing on fire.
On the balcony
standing in a cage of sunbeams –
like a rainbow.
Humming in the mist.
There, a fishing-boat out far –
trophy on the waters.
proclamation
NOUN
Origin
Late Middle English: via Old French from Latin proclamatio(n-), from proclamare 'shout out'(see proclaim).
lamasery
(lä'mə-sĕr'ē) 
n., pl., -ies.
A monastery of lamas.
[French lamaserie : lama, lama (from Tibetan bla-ma; see lama) + -serie, dwelling (probably from Persian sarāy, inn, palace).]
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