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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
http://www.usaid.gov
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-067
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2003
Background
Heartwater, a lethal tickborne disease of cattle, sheep and goats, was first confirmed in the western hemisphere in 1980. The University of Florida (UF) began a USDA-funded research program to determine the outbreak's extent and prevent its introduction into the United States. In 1983, a senior scientist in the Department of Agriculture in Zimbabwe approached UF with a collaborative research project on heartwater, a major constraint to improved livestock production in Zimbabwe and other countries of southern Africa. A research proposal was written and submitted to the USAID mission in Zimbabwe and UF was chosen to receive the research award.
Objectives
The Heartwater Project has the following objectives:
- development of sustainable tick control methods, improved vaccines and diagnostic tests for heartwater;
- training South African Development Community scientists in epidemiology, immunology and molecular biology and;
- commercialization of the vaccine, diagnostic and tick control technologies
Activities
Activities at the University of Florida include project management, development of recombinant materials for use in DNA vaccines, development and fabrication of decoys for sustainable and environmentally benign control of ticks, training scientists, patenting of technologies and transferring technologies to the SADC region in collaboration with the private sector. Activities in Africa are based at the Veterinary Research Laboratory in Harare. They include developing and testing inactivated and recombinant vaccines, developing improved diagnostic tests (including a PCR assay), testing the tick decoy technology, training scientists and collaborating with other SADC countries.
Expected results
- Development of an inactivated vaccine for heartwater has been developed and field testing in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with an option-license agreement for its commercialization signed with Intervet International.A DNA vaccine has also been developed protecting mice from heartwater. Current work focuses on modification of the vaccine for use in domestic ruminants.
- Improved serodiagnostic tests, a DNA probe and a PCR assay have been developed for the diagnosis of heartwater.
- A tick decoy technology has been developed for the economical, sustainable and environmentally friendly control of ticks.
- Scientists from several SADC countries (mainly Zimbabwe) have been trained at UF or the University of Zimbabwe to MS and PhD levels.
- The inactivated vaccine, the DNA vaccine, the recombinant diagnostic tests and the tick decoy technology have all received U.S. patents, with patents in foreign countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe either issued or pending.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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