Veterinary, Epidemiology, General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
11
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Spatial distribution of central obesity in rural and peri urban communities of Botswana: a nested Botswana Combination Prevention Project (BCPP) cross-sectional study Matlhogonolo Kelepile, Kago Kebotsamang, Moagedi Mawi, Kesaobaka Molebatsi, Onkabetse Julia Molefe-Baikai, Nlingisisi Babayani, Sue C. Grady, Gaone Edwin Mogaetsho, Thato Moshomo, Keonayang Kgotlaetsile, Tshepo Leeme, Tendani Gaolathe, Mosepele Mosepele BMC Public Health, 2026 BACKGROUND: Obesity is a growing public health concern, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where undernutrition and obesity are in conjuction. In Botswana, the urban transition and environmental factors are likely influencing obesity risk. This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of central obesity across selected rural and peri-urban communities in Botswana and elucidate on likely demographics influencing the identified spatial variations. METHODS: Data were drawn from 2,039 individuals (aged 16-65 + years) who participated in the Botswana Combination Prevention Project (BCPP), a community-based (n = 22) cluster-randomized trial (NCT01965470). Central obesity was defined using waist-to-hip ratio > 0.90 in men, > 0.85 in women. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were estimated to predict central obesity prevalence. A Global Moran's I was used to evaluate if there was clustering of central obesity prevalence across communities. To further explore local patterns, Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) was applied to identify specific communities where central obesity prevalence was not random. This analysis distinguished spatial clusters (high-high [HH] and low-low [LL]) as well as spatial outliers. Finally, bivariate local Moran's I was performed to determine the spatial heterogeneity of central obesity and specific predictors (female and median age). RESULTS: Central obesity prevalence was estimated at 27.6% using GLMM (AoR 0.276 95% CI 0.131-0.582), (n = 887) and of these, 44.8% (n = 645) participants, resided in rural areas. Spatial analysis revealed significant clustering across rural and peri-urban communities (Moran's I = 0.158, p = 0.04;I = 0.171 p = 0.05). The bivariate Local Moran's I results showed significantly high clusters of central obesity and female (sex) (0.071 p < .001) and central obesity and median age (I = 0.225 p < .001) in both rural and peri-urban communities. CONCLUSIONS: Central obesity in Botswana demonstrates spatial clustering and is significantly influenced by socio-demographic factors. These findings underscore the need for geographically targeted interventions to address central obesity, especially in peri-urban communities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01965470. Registered on October 2013. More information: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/study/NCT01965470?tab=history&a=4 .
Early prediction of declining health associated with helminth infection in small ruminants using accelerometers and machine learning Axel X. Montout, Ranjeet S. Bhamber, Nlingisisi D. Babayani, Eric R. Morgan, Christos C. Ioannou, Thomas H. Terrill, Jan A. van Wyk, Tilo Burghardt, Andrew W. Dowsey International Journal for Parasitology, 2026 Assessment of the health status of individual animals is a key step in the timely and targeted treatment of infections, which is critical in the fight to slow the development of anthelmintic and antimicrobial resistance. The FAMACHA scoring system has been used successfully to detect anaemia caused by infection with the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus in small ruminants and is an effective way to identify individuals in need of treatment. However, assessing FAMACHA is labour-intensive and costly, as individuals must be manually examined at frequent intervals. Here, accelerometers were used to measure the individual activity of extensively grazing small ruminants (sheep and goats) exposed to natural Haemonchus contortus worm infection in southern Africa, over long time scales (13 + months). When combined with machine learning, this activity data can predict poorer health (increases in FAMACHA score) in sheep with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 82.7%, as well as to identify animals that fail to respond to treatment with AUC of 66.4%. We demonstrate that these classifiers remain robust over time, and that interpretation of their trained results reveals that poorer health, such as that resulting from haemonchosis, significantly affects the night-time activity levels, more so than that of the daytime. Our study thus reveals that low-cost biologgers can exploit behavioural patterns to detect subtle changes in animal health and enable timely and targeted intervention. This has real potential to improve economic outcomes and animal welfare, as well as to limit the use of anthelmintic drugs and diminish selective pressures on anthelmintic resistance in both commercial and resource-poor communal farming.
Using qualitative risk assessment to re-evaluate the veterinary fence paradigm within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area Laura E. Rosen, Shirley J. Atkinson, Nlingisisi D. Babayani, Mokganedi Mokopasetso, Mary-Louise Penrith, Nidhi Ramsden, Janine Sharpe, Thompson Shuro, Odireleng I. Thololwane, Jacques van Rooyen, Steven A. Osofsky Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2026 Introduction Habitat connectivity in southern Africa’s Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA, or KAZA) is hindered by the presence of veterinary fences put in place to prevent transboundary animal disease transmission. In northern Botswana’s Ngamiland, much of the fencing infrastructure is in disrepair due to ineffective maintenance in the face of increased elephant damage, but specific sections of some fences still restrict critical wildlife movements. Methods We undertook qualitative risk assessments for sections of the Northern Buffalo fence near the Okavango Delta and the Zambezi Border and Western Border fences along the Botswana-Namibia borders. We assessed multiple risk pathways for three main transboundary animal diseases (foot and mouth disease, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and peste des petits ruminants) under three different scenarios: (1) the status quo (fences as they currently are), (2) with hypothetical removal of specific fence sections, and (3) with hypothetical removal of fence sections with risk mitigation measures instituted. Results Our study found that hypothetical removal of these fence sections did not increase the risk of the transboundary animal diseases of interest, and that with the institution of specific risk mitigation measures (such as strategic livestock herding), the overall risk of some diseases would be lower compared to the status quo. Each pathway contained critical steps with low, very low or negligible risk which influenced the overall risk for the pathway. Discussion Based on low estimated risks, sections of all three fences could be considered for removal, but further information was needed for the Western Border fence. Key stakeholders established consensus to move forward with consultations with local communities and to offer assistance with the implementation of risk mitigation measures (such as improved herding, kraaling) conditionally associated with potential removal of key fence sections. Opening the fences in key low-risk areas would restore connectivity for elephants and other wildlife and potentially reduce human-wildlife conflict in areas where high densities of elephants are constrained by fences. This new, more sectorally integrative approach to livestock disease control is vital to wildlife’s ability to access key resources over space and time and thus to the sustained success of KAZA.
Viral metagenomics of Okavango Delta water pans reveal novel insights into wildlife disease potential Emilie J. Skoog, Kenosi Kebabonye, Benjamin Klempay, Mangaliso Gondwe, Kaelo Makati, Nlingisisi Babayani, Mosimanegape Jongman, Jeff Bowman, Lihini Aluwihare Imetaomics, 2025 Botswana's Seronga region saw a mass elephant die-off potentially linked to water sources. This study analyzes Okavango Delta metagenomes, uncovering a diversity of viruses and harmful pathogens. Findings highlight the importance of understanding viral ecology in these waters and support One Health's objective in protecting human, animal, and ecosystem health.
Remote sensing and spatial analysis reveal unprecedented cyanobacteria bloom dynamics associated with elephant mass mortality Davide Lomeo, Emma J. Tebbs, Nlingisisi D. Babayani, Michael A. Chadwick, Mangaliso J. Gondwe, Anne D. Jungblut, Graham P. McCulloch, Eric R. Morgan, Daniel N. Schillereff, Stefan G.H. Simis, Anna C. Songhurst Science of the Total Environment, 2024 The 2020 mass mortality of 350 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Botswana sparked global concern, with cyanotoxins in watering holes (pans) being a suspected cause, though evidence remains inconclusive. Combining remote sensing and spatial analysis, we examined the relationship between the ecohydrology of ∼3000 pans and the locations of deceased elephants. Our analysis revealed a significant difference in the spatial distribution of fresh versus decayed carcasses (p < 0.001), indicating that the die-off deviated from typical regional elephant mortality patterns. We identified 20 pans near fresh carcasses that experienced increased cyanobacteria bloom events in 2020 (n = 123) compared to the previous 3 years combined (n = 23), exhibiting the highest average phytoplankton biomass of the period 2015-2023 (Normalised Difference Chlorophyll Index >0.2). These findings suggest a heightened risk and likelihood of cyanotoxin presence in these pans. Elephants were estimated to have walked 16.5 km (± 6.2 km) and died within 88 h (± 33 h) of exposure. Our study provides evidence that cyanobacterial toxicity could be a contributing factor to the 2020 die-off, while also considering other potential causes, and offers a general framework for investigation of future mortality events. We underscore the need to integrate spatial analysis and regional ecohydrological assessments to monitor and mitigate animal mortality events and inform conservation strategies.
A qualitative risk assessment indicates moderate risk of foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in cattle in the lower Okavango Delta because of interaction with buffaloes Nlingisisi Dombole Babayani, Odireleng Idy Thololwane Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2022 Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was first documented in domestic stock in Botswana in the early 1930s and since then the country opted for eradication of FMD from all her livestock-rearing areas. A multipronged control strategy was adopted along the pathway towards eradication, that initially included strategic apthisation of cloven-hooved domestic stock up to 1964, movement restriction through cordon fences and quarantine system from the 1950s, and vaccination using readily available commercial vaccines from the mid-1960s, to date. This has resulted in 78% of the country's land area being officially declared and recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as FMD free without vaccination. However, the disease has remained endemic in the northern parts of the country, owing largely to co-existence of livestock and wildlife. We applied a qualitative risk analysis method in our study to assess the risk of FMD outbreak in zone 2 because of interaction between cattle and buffalo across a man-made physical barrier, southern buffalo fence, in the north of the country. The assessed risk was rated 'moderate' with moderate level of uncertainty, meaning assessment of mitigation options should be done before authorising import of cattle and cattle product from zone 2. Because of cost escalation associated with FMD controls, particularly zoning with cordon fences in the face of relentless trampling by elephants, we concluded that there is a need to revise the national goal of country-wide eradication of FMD in livestock rearing areas to a more achievable outcome for zone 2. We recommend adoption of husbandry management practices and marketing approaches that recognizes co-existence of cattle and wildlife in zone 2 as an exception to the rest of the country. Such an approach should be rooted not on geographic occurrence of FMD nor separation of the two species but on food product safety guarantees along the value chain, and we believe this to be critical for sustainability of FMD management and livelihoods in zone 2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Editorial: Climate and Parasite Transmission at the Livestock-Wildlife Interface Nlingisisi D. Babayani, Hannah Rose Vineer, Josephine G. Walker, Rebecca K. Davidson Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2022 EDITORIAL article Front. Vet. Sci., 05 January 2022Sec. Parasitology Volume 8 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.816303
Predictive Analytics of Cattle Host and Environmental and Micro-Climate Factors for Tick Distribution and Abundance at the Livestock–Wildlife Interface in the Lower Okavango Delta of Botswana Nlingisisi D. Babayani, Anastacia Makati Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2021 Tick distribution and abundance is influenced by several factors that include micro-climate and environmental and host factors. Contextual understanding of the role played by these factors is critical to guide control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of these factors for changes in tick distribution and abundance at the livestock–wildlife interface of the lower Okavango Delta. A two-stage quota sampling design was adopted to select 30 clusters of seven cattle each for tick investigation. Tick investigation was done by lifting the tail to count the total number of ticks at the anno-vulva region during the four meteorological seasons of the year. Additional data were collected on ear tag number, location of origin, sex, age, body condition score (BCS), season of the year, stocking density, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values of source terrain. A random effects model was used to evaluate predictive value of the above for tick abundance. Additional mapping of tick distribution pattern in the abattoir catchment area was conducted using spatial autocorrelation and hot-spot analysis. Tick intensity of infection increased linearly from males to females (Z = 3.84, p &lt; 0.001), decreased linearly from lower to higher BCS (Z = −4.11, p &lt; 0.001), and increased linearly from cold-dry through dry to wet seasons (Z = 10.19, p &lt; 0.001). Significant clustering of neighboring crushes on account of tick count was noted in the late-hot-dry season, with high tick count in crushes located along the seasonal flood plains and low tick counts in those located in the dry grasslands. It was concluded from this study that cattle tick abundance is influenced largely by season of the year and that the micro-climatic conditions brought about by the seasonal flooding of the delta have a decided effect on tick distribution during the driest of the seasons. Our study has, for the first time, profiled drivers of tick distribution and population growth in this unique ecosystem. This has the potential to benefit human and veterinary public health in the area through implementation of sustainable tick control strategies that are not heavily reliant on acaricides.
Geo-information technology application based animal health management decision support system development 2021 Ist Africa Conference Ist Africa 2021, 2021
Rumen impaction in cattle associated with ingestion of the pupal cocoons of Gonometa spp. in Botswana Nlingisisi D. Babayani, John F. Nyange Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 2019 Mortality in cattle associated with ingestion of cocoons (matlhoa in Setswana) of both Gonometa postica and Gonometa rufobrunnea is rare and has only previously been reported in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. A case history of gradual weight loss, bloat, dyschezia with dry faeces and laboured gait, resulting in sudden death after drinking water and associated with ingestion of pupal cocoons of Gonometa spp., was reported by keepers at Mmaditau crush in Botswana in 2013. The crush was a shared holding in a communal area with 15 registered animal keepers. The objective of this study was to profile the history, clinical signs, post-mortem findings, morbidity and mortality from the outbreak using the descriptive study method. Altogether, 81 cattle out of a total of 507 died of impaction from August to December 2013. On autopsy, a loosely connected mass of ingesta, intertwined in ropy silky strands, was observed. It was concluded that there is no readily accessible and available form of treatment at crush level, leaving only evasive husbandry practices as the feasible option. To aid evasive husbandry management practices, temporal and spatial monitoring of population dynamics of Gonometa spp. is recommended, particularly during a drought spell when animals are prone to develop pica, as the basis for an early warning system to farmers.
