Vector & Vector-Borne Diseases Research Institute (VVBDI)

INTRODUCTION

The Vector and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Institute (VVBDI) which was previously known as Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Research Institute started as a Tsetse Research Project (TRP) in 1971 and operated under the bilateral funding of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Republic of Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock Development. Due to the significance of Tsetse and trypanosomiasis to both human and livestock in the country and the extensive distribution of the vector in the country, the Tsetse Fly Research Project, was upgraded to an institute. Tsetse & Trypanosomiasis Research Institute (TTRI) was established by the Tanzania Parliament Act (1981) under the Tanzania Livestock Research Organisation (TALIRO) with a plan to have centres in the entire country. The purpose and functions of the institute is to conduct research on tsetse (Gossina spp) and eradication measures for the protection of human health and expansion of the livestock industry and agricultural output thus improving the economy.

Under a new set up of the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries TTRI was set under the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA) and given the mandate of performing all Vector and Vector Borne Diseases in the country.

Manager, Dr. Furaha Mramba
Tel: +255 27 2644572/3
Fax: +255 27 2642577

Vision

To be a centre of Excellency from which VVBD will be controlled and/or eradicated through application of socially, economically and environmentally friendly technologies

Mission

Develop appropriate technologies that deliver cost effective and practical solutions towards the prevention and control of VVBD

Mandate

The Vector and Vector-borne Diseases Research Institute is charged with a mandate of planning, coordinating and conducting VVBD research and control activities in the country.

Roles

Plan and coordinate VVBD
Conduct research in VVBD
Develop or Improve and Disserminate the appropriate technologies for VVBD control or eradication
Enhance Public private partnership in VVBD
Develop capacity for VVBD research programme

Functions

Review and update VVBD programme in the country
Develop and disseminate cost effective and environmental friendly VVBD control technologies
Improvement, development and up scaling of appropriate control technologies for VVBD
Establish and maintain gene bank for vector pathogens
Establishment, retooling and rehabilitation of VVBD infrastructures in our research institute
Mapping of socio- economic impact of VVBD in the country
Inventories and capacity building of human resources for VVBD
Enhance collaboration with relevant national, regional, international institutions and development partners
Ensure that quality assurance of laboratory tests are maintained in the VVBD laboratories.
Training in laboratory technology on VVBD activities
Provide technical advice to policy makers on VVBD control measures

The VVBD Institute will have five sub-programmes namely:

Tick and tick-borne diseases,
Tsetse and trypanosomiasis,
Vector-borne Helminthosis,
Parasitic diseases
Viral diseases
Other Neglected Vector and Vector borne diseases

These are supposed to carry out research on VVBD under coordination of the newly formed Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA).

Thematic Research Areas

Epidemiology and the prevalence of VVBD
Introduction and evaluation of new scientific innovations
Arthropod Ecology and Behaviour
Standardization of biological and chemical used in VVBD
Development of sensitive diagnostic tests

General achievements

Research carried out on VVBDs in the last 15 years has provided information on Vector control/eradication and appropriate treatment of animal parasites that can be applied in the various agro-ecological zones of the country. Among the most important achievements is outlined below:

Tsetse fly (Glossina austeni) was eradicated in Zanzibar island in 1997 using biological control (SIT)
Development of rapid, accurate and affordable diagnostic tests for tsetse borne diseases
Development of blue colour traps and attractants for tsetse flies was completed in 2003 and is in use
In-vitro methods of rearing haemotophagous vector (tsetse) for use in biological control in 1997
Effective antihelmithics and control regime for the coastal belt of Tanzania were established in 2003
Establishment of VVBD Control Centre in 2008 in western zone based in Kigoma

ONGOING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

Project titles:

Rearing of seed colonies for biological control. (Supported by the Government )
Increasing cattle productivity through enhanced community based tsetse and trypanosomiasis in Southern Tanzania. (Supported by COSTECH)
Optimization of trapping devices for G. swynnertoni . Supported by Government
The use of impregnated targets for the control of tsetse and animal trypanosomiasis in

Handeni district (Supported by ASDP)

Entomological baseline data collection in Glossina swynnertoni belt in Northern Tanzania (Supported by Government )
Laboratory initiation & adaptation of G. swynnertoni (Supported by Government)
Blood collection from abattoirs and live animals at Mivumoni Farm.(Supported by

Government OC)

Surveillance for detection of animal trypanosomosis in urban and rural areas of Tanga Municipality. (Supported by Government OC)
Tsetse bio-ecology studies in newly farmed areas of Kisarawe, Mkuranga and Rufiji

Districts, Tanzania (Funded by ZARDEF)

The Use of Impregnated Targets as a Cheap and Simple Technology for Tsetse and

Animal Trypanosomosis Intervention in Chunya District. (ZARDEF)

DONOR FUNDING PROJECTS

Project title

Feasibility study of tsetse and tsetse borne diseases at Selous game reserve and options for Control (Supported by Tanzania National Parks)
Symbionts and pathogens for tsetse control (Supported by IAEA and completed)
Integrated tsetse fly ecology and genetics for improved HAT control. (Supported by

WHO/TDR)

Development and Application of Xenomonitoring tools in African Trypanosomiasis Control
Programmes in Endemic Countries. (Supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Control in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (supported by

Ngorongoro)

Resources and Administration

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Staff composition

VVBDI have qualified research staff trained at levels of PhD, MSc, BSc and Diploma in different disciplines. They are allocated in three research programs: Entomology, Parasitology and molecular biology. There is also a category of support staff including accountants, drivers, technicians and watchmen contribute to facilitation of the research work and functioning of the institutes.

Table 1: Available staff by gender, education and research program at VVBDI

Level of education	Entomology		Parasitology		Molecular Biology		Support staff		Total
Level of education	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	Total
PhD	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2
MSc	3	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	8
BSc	1	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	5
Diploma	4	0	3	1	0	1	3	1	13
Others	1	4	0	1	2	2	7	9	26
Total	9	8	4	3	5	4	11	10	49

The institute is striving to broaden the range of collaborators and to diversify her sources of funding, in order to sustain tsetse and trypanosomiasis research in the country

Equipments and facilities

Mivumoni Farm

The institute is having a farm which is 5,320 hectors based in Mivumoni – Pangani district. This farm is having 179 Zebu cattle, 17 sheep, and 33 goats. The planning the Institute is having for this farm is to produce Hay, and also to increase the number of improved livestock in order to raise revenue for TVLA. Efforts to improve watering system and buying farm machinery to support this farm are in Progress.

Infrastructure:

The Institute is having three specious Insectaries of which two of them are fly proofed. These can be used to rear large numbers of tsetse flies for SIT and also having a modern laboratory for molecular diagnosis.