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UNAM Part of Global Research on Hanta Viruses
The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science is part of a three year international colloborative project on hantaviruses. Senior Lecturer in Terrestrial Ecology and Coordinator of the MSc Biodiversity Management & Research Dr. John Kazgeba Mfune is the UNAM representative on the project team. “Hantaviruses, members of the family Bunyaviridae, are emerging viruses causing two life-threatening human zoonoses; hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome,” he explained. The viruses are transmitted from animal reservoirs to human beings. “Based on our recent findings of hantaviruses in rodent as well as shrew reservoirs in Africa and their substantial implications in human health, the joint project of German and African groups will evaluate the biodiversity of hantaviruses and their natural animal reservoirs in West and Southern Africa, the biological properties of the newly discovered viruses and the clinical significance of the African hantaviruses. The project aims to determine the prevalence of hantaviruses in rodent and shrew reservoirs in selected African countries (Guinea, Namibia, South Africa),and at the same time analyze the geographical distribution of these animal reservoirs according to ecological and climatic characteristics among others. It also aims to develop research opportunities for German groups in Africa on research topics of high scientific and medical relevance also for Germany and Africa. Dr. Mfune says under the project a Namibian student will be able to pursue a fully funded MSc degree as part of the research aspect of the project. This he said would greatly contribute to local capacity building in sciences and strengthen the university’s international links. |
