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PubMed2002

Marine protected areas in the eastern African Region: how successful are they?

This article reviews the governance and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and the coral reefs they contain, in the eastern African Region. This includes the Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Seychelles. Three generations or categories of MPAs are distinguished: i) small areas for protection of a single species or unique marine habitat; iii) large multiple use MPAs designed for coastal development as well as biodiversity protection; and iii) MPAs managed by a nongovernmental organization (NGO) or the private sector. Each of these MPA types is examined according to the policies, legislation, and management systems they entail as well as the economic and community situation they operate within. The paper also provides a review of some eastern African MPAs in terms of their size and location, the type of MPA, zonation schemes, and financial status. The successes of the different types of MPAs are discussed based on specific indicators, such as changes in biodiversity, infrastructure, compliance to regulations and the level of involvement of primary stakeholders in the management. From the review it is clear that a fourth generation of MPAs may be forthcoming; community-based MPAs. Although lack of data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of these different categories of MPAs, it is clear that no MPA can succeed without support of the local communities. Generally, the results of the analysis are promising for MPAs, however a lack of data is hampering a deeper analysis. The major issues facing MPAs in the region are highlighted, as well as some regional initiatives striving to address these issues. A number of recommendations are made, aiming to strengthen the establishment and management of MPAs in the eastern African region.

Africa, Eastern↗
PubMed2002

Seagrass ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean.

Seagrasses are marine angiosperms widely distributed in both tropical and temperate coastal waters creating one of the most productive aquatic ecosystems on earth. In the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, with its 13 reported seagrass species, these ecosystems cover wide areas of near-shore soft bottoms through the 12 000 km coastline. Seagrass beds are found intertidally as well as subtidally, sometimes down to about 40 m, and do often occur in close connection to coral reefs and mangroves. Due to the high primary production and a complex habitat structure, seagrass beds support a variety of benthic, demersal and pelagic organisms. Many fish and shellfish species, including those of commercial interest, are attracted to seagrass habitats for foraging and shelter, especially during their juvenile life stages. Examples of abundant and widespread fish species associated to seagrass beds in the WIO belong to the families Apogonidae, Blenniidae, Centriscidae, Gerreidae, Gobiidae, Labridae, Lethrinidae Lutjanidae, Monacanthidae, Scaridae, Scorpaenidae, Siganidae, Syngnathidae and Teraponidae. Consequently, seagrass ecosystems in the WIO are valuable resources for fisheries at both local and regional scales. Still, seagrass research in the WIO is scarce compared to other regions and it is mainly focusing on botanic diversity and ecology. This article reviews the research status of seagrass beds in the WIO with particular emphasis on fish and fisheries. Most research on this topic has been conducted along the East African coast, i.e. in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and eastern South Africa, while less research was carried out in Somalia and the Island States of the WIO (Seychelles, Comoros, Reunion (France), Mauritius and Madagascar). Published papers on seagrass fish ecology in the region are few and mainly descriptive. Hence, there is a need of more scientific knowledge in the form of describing patterns and processes through both field and experimental work. Quantitative seagrass fish community studies in the WIO such as the case study presented in this paper are negligible, but necessitated for the perspective of fisheries management. It is also highlighted that the pressure on seagrass beds in the region is increasing due to growing coastal populations and human disturbance from e.g. pollution, eutrophication, sedimentation, fishing activities and collection of invertebrates, and its effect are little understood. Thus, there is a demand for more research that will generate information useful for sustainable management of seagrass ecosystems in the WIO.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--Southern Africa, 2001-March 2003.

Since the 1988 World Health Assembly resolution to eradicate poliomyelitis globally, substantial progress has been made in all World Health Organization (WHO) regions, and three regions (Americas, European, and Western Pacific) are classified as polio-free. The African Region comprises four epidemiologic blocks (Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western). The Southern African block comprises 14 countries--10 on the mainland (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) and four in the Indian Ocean (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles)--with a combined total population in 2002 of approximately 120 million persons. This report summarizes polio eradication efforts in the Southern African block during January 2001-March 2003, which indicate the possible interruption of wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission and underscore the need to sustain polio eradication efforts.

Africa, Southern↗
PubMed1992

HTLV-I in neurological diseases.

The human lymphotropic retrovirus type I (HTLV-I) has been recently associated with neurological diseases. Antibodies against HTLV-I were found in the sera and in the CSF of patients affected by Tropic Spastic Paraparesis (TSP), diffused in tropical areas such as Caraibi, south America, Seychelles. A similar clinical pattern was found in Japan and was named Human myelopathy (HAM). The virus was isolated from mononuclear cells either of the peripheral blood, and of the CSF. Molecular studies have shown that the "neurotropic" HTLV-I is similar to that associated to T cell leukemia. In vitro studies have shown that tumoral and fetal astroglial cells are susceptible to HTLV-I entry. Actually after 7 days, cells exposed to HTLV-I showed the virus core protein p19 together with an high expression of class II antigens and a disorganization of the GFAP. Multiple sclerosis (MS) has also been associated with HTLV-I infection, on the basis of finding antibodies against HTLV-I in the sera and in the CSF of some patients. However the presence of HTLV-I genome detected by PCR analysis within mononuclear cells from peripheral blood lymphocytes of MS patients is still a controversial question. The aim of the present review is to critically analyze the role of a lymphotropic retrovirus in demyelinating diseases.

Female↗
PubMed1997

[Serological survey of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) IgG antibody in south region of Xinjiang].

Human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is endemic in southwestern Japan, Seychelles Islands, Caribbean basin, Brazil, and Sub Saharan Africa. Recently, the prevalence of HTLV-1 of domestic source has been reported from Beijing, Fujian and so forth. The object of our study is to know whether the prevalence of HTLV-1 is present in Xinjiang. We collected 2642 serm samples of various ages and different nationalities (Uigur, Han and Khalkhas) from south region of Xinjiang and tested for determination of HTLV-1 IgG antibody by IFA. The results showed that the total positive rate of HTLV-1 IgG was 0.34% (9/2642), of which Uigur nationality was 0.74% (8/1082), Khalkhas nationality was 0.21 (1/471), Han nationality was zero (0/1089). This data indicated that there are HTLV-1 infection among the population of Xinjiang and especially in Uigur and Khalkhas. Why did the minority nationalities have relatively high frequency of HTLV-1 infection? This needs to be studied further.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Pulsatility index and resistance index in the aortic bifurcation area of growth retarded fetuses].

UNLABELLED: To specify diagnostic importance of fetoplacental flow parameters PI, RI during pregnancy complicated by ultrasonografically detected intrauterine growth retardation-IUGR. SETTING: Dpt. of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Safarik's University and University Hospital L. Pasteur, Kosice, Slovak Republic, Obst/Gynae Dpt., Victoria Hospital, Mahé, Seychelles Republic, Indian Ocean. SUBJECT AND METHOD: The autors measured fetal circulation on the level of descending aortal bifurcation. The results were compared in the Group-A of 112 pregnancies complicated by mild, moderate and several praeeclampsia, eclampsia with detected IUGR, and comparative Group-B of 106 pregnancies. INTERVENTION: The ACUSONIC 8, ALOKA 680 SSD using transabdominal 3.5 MHz probe with color doppler facility. The parameters were measured in weekly intervals according the clinical protocol for management of high risk pregnancies. SUBJECTS: There was opened a prospective comparative study of 112 risk pregnancies (Group-A) and a comparative Group-B of 106 pregnancies with normal growth of fetuses. Group-A was devided according classification of praeeclampsia to Subgroup-A1, mild praeeclampsia, Subgroup-A2, moderate praeeclampsia, Subgroup-A3, severe praeclampsia and Subgroup-A4, eclampsia. Parameters of vascular resistance in descending aorta were calculated from 28th week of gestation to termination of pregnancy and compared average values in corresponding stage in the Group-A and the comparative Group-B. Number of IUGR fetuses or restricted with the growth were calculated in Subgroups-A. RESULTS: Descending aorta presents significantly higher average values of PI, RI during pregnancy from 28th week of gestation in Group-A. There is no evidence of diastolic decrease after 34th week of gestation in Group-A. In Group-A 52.6% fetuses were ultrasonograficaly IUGR detected or restricted. In Subgroup-A1 of mild praeeclampsia were 20.5% of the IUGR fetuses. Subgroup-A2 of moderate praeeclampsia showed 51.3% and Subgroup-A3 severe praeeclampsia 87.8% of the IUGR fetuses of restricted. Three cases of eclampsia were restricted for growth. MAIN OUTCOME: Functional assessment of the descending aorta flow is the most reliable method for differentiation of praeclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies with suspected fetal starvation and intrauterine growth retardation.

Aorta↗
PubMed2005

Rapid health response, assessment, and surveillance after a tsunami--Thailand, 2004-2005.

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that caused an estimated 225,000 deaths in eight countries (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) on two continents. In Thailand, six provinces (Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, and Trang) were impacted, including prominent international tourist destinations. The Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) responded with rapid mobilization of local and nonlocal clinicians, public health practitioners, and medical supplies; assessment of health-care needs; identification of the dead, injured, and missing; and active surveillance of syndromic illness. The MOPH response was augmented by technical assistance from the Thai MOPH-U.S. CDC Collaboration (TUC) and the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), with support from the office of the World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Thailand. This report summarizes these activities. The experiences in Thailand underscore the value of written and rehearsed disaster plans, capacity for rapid mobilization, local coordination of relief activities, and active public health surveillance.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed2005

The Malaysian Orthopaedic Association humanitarian mission to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

The tsunami which occurred off the west coast of North Sumatra on December 26, 2004 devastated the coastal areas of North Sumatra, South-West Thailand, South-East India and Sri Lanka killing more than a quarter of a million people. The destruction was enormous with many coastal villages destroyed. The other countries affected were Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Bangladesh, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and the Seychelles. In January 2005, volunteers went in weekly rotation to Banda Aceh in collaboration with Global Peace Mission. These were Dr Hyzan Yusof, Dr Suryasmi Duski, Dr Sharaf Ibrahim, Dr Saw Aik, Dr Kamariah Nor and Dr Nor Azlin. In Banda Aceh, the surgical procedures that we could do were limited to external fixation of open fractures and debriding infected wounds at the Indonesian Red Crescent field hospital. In February, a team comprising Dato Dr K S Sivananthan, Dr T Kumar and Dr S Vasan spent a week in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, Dato Sivananthan and his team were able to perform elective orthopaedic operations in Dr Poonambalam Memorial Hospital. We appealed for national and international aid and received support from local hospitals and the orthopaedic industry. International aid bound for Banda Aceh arrived in Kuala Lumpur from the Philippine Orthopaedic Association, the Chiba Children's Hospital in Japan and the Chinese Orthopaedic Association. The COA donated 1.5 tons of orthopaedic equipments. A special handing over ceremony from the COA to the Indonesian Orthopaedic Association was held in Putrajaya in March. Malaysia Airlines flew in the donated equipment to Kuala Lumpur while the onward flight to Aceh was provided by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. In April, Dr Saw Aik and Dr Yong Su Mei joined the Tsu-Chi International Medical Association for volunteer services on Batam Island, Indonesia. The MOA acknowledges the many individuals and organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, for their contributions in the humanitarian efforts.

Altruism↗
PubMed2005

[Chikungunya virus: its recent spread to the southern Indian Ocean and Reunion Island (2005-2006)].

Chikungunya virus (alphavirus, Togaviridae) is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus and responsible for a dengue-like acute disease characterized by severe arthralgias sometimes persisting during months and eventually years. Its geographical distribution is large, including west, central, east and southern tropical Africa, India and South-eastern Asia. Since 2005 february, Chikungunya disease invaded a number of islands in southern Indian Ocean, namely Comoro, Mauritius, Seychelles and Reunion islands. In this French department, it was responsible for 110000 to 200000 infections, neurological disorders, many deaths and some congenital infections not previously observed during preceding epidemics.

Alphavirus Infections↗
PubMed1990

[Historical epidemiology of malaria in the archipelago of the Mascarenes (Indian Ocean)].

The Mascarenes Islands (Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion) have been for the last few centuries a place of rest and convalescence for sailors, soldiers and inhabitants of the other regions of the Indian Ocean affected by "intermittent fevers". In the middle of the nineteenth century a severe and deadly malaria epidemic occurred first in Mauritius and then in Reunion Island. It took a century to bring the disease under control, but this has in no way diminished the risk of its re-introduction. Comparative study of the way the disease appeared and got established in these two islands and not in the adjoining ones (Rodrigues, Chagos, Seychelles) leads us to formulate the hypothesis that massive deforestation for sugar cane cultivation created a favourable environment for the implantation of the malaria vector, the african origin of which is beyond doubt. The evolution of the environment, subjected to natural catastrophe (cyclones) and to human activities (often as a consequence of economic development) has exerted pressure on the vector which in a way gives an answer of the development of the disease over time. This study highlights the importance of epidemiological analysis of the history of major communicable diseases not only in the cognitive context but also in predicting probable public health problem arising from environmental modifications.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Cutaneous diphtheria imported from tropical countries].

Two cases of imported cutaneous diphtheria from tropical areas are described. Vacationing in the Seychelles, a 29-year-old man injured his left malleolus a few weeks before his return to Switzerland. The wound did not heal and an ulcer developed. Microbiologic investigation yielded toxinogenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. There were no signs of systemic intoxication. The man had not been vaccinated against diphtheria since childhood. In the second case a 51-year-old woman returned from Thailand and Nepal with two very painful ulcers between the toes of her right foot, which was reddish-coloured. Microbiologic investigation again yielded toxinogenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and there was no sign of systemic intoxication. Treatment with erythromycin brought about complete healing of the ulcers.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

New immunoglobulin IgG allotypes and haplotypes found in wild mice with monoclonal anti-allotope antibodies.

Sera from 156 wild mice (Mus musculus L.) collected from parts of Eurasia, Northern Africa, and the Americas were tested in solid-phase radioimmunoassays for reactivity with 20 monoclonal anti-allotope antibodies directed against gene products of the Igh-1, Igh-3, and Igh-4 loci. Most of the wild mice have Igh phenotypes similar to those of inbred strains or heterozygotes thereof, but frequently the wild mice showed unique combinations of allotypes on a given chromosome (haplotypes) not seen in inbred strains. We found new allotypes of the Igh-1 and Igh-4 loci. Mice from three regions (Poland, Taiwan, and Japan) possess combinations of allotypes indicating that recombination, gene conversion, or other gene duplication events have occurred in portions of the Igh constant region gene complex. Most interestingly, sera of three mice from Egypt possess immunoglobulin molecules appearing to result from an intragenic recombination event involving either Igh-1d or Igh-3d with Igh-1b. Two mice from Pakistan and one from Seychelles Island in the Indian Ocean also showed similar unusual phenotypes. These mice possess two CH2 IgH-1b and two CH2 Igh-1a/CH2 Igh-1d determinants, suggesting that these variant immunoglobulin arose from recombinations within the CH2 domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

HTLV-I associated myelopathy: an endemic disease of Canadian aboriginals of the Northwest Pacific coast?

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) is responsible for HTLV-I associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Both diseases have been well described in individuals living in Japan, West Indies, Seychelles Islands and Columbia where infection with HTLV-I is considered endemic and in persons whose descendants originated from these endemic areas. We report here 4 cases of HAM/TSP in 4 natives from 4 different tribal groups from British Columbia (B.C.). These are the first case reports of HTLV-I linked diseases found among North American Aboriginals. Possible routes of infection for HTLV-I infection included sexual transmission, breast feeding, blood transfusions and IV drug use. The seroprevalence of HTLV-I in North American Native population is unknown and we suggest that it is endemic in this ethnic group.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[History of insular malaria in the southwestern Indian Ocean: an eco-epidemiologic approach].

Madagascar has been isolated from the African continent since the Mesozoic era. The archipelago in this region emerged from volcanism during the early and the beginning of the late Cenozoic era. Consequently, during the prehistoric period, these islands were populated by only birds. Parasites and their vectors have been imported. In Madagascar (with the exception of the highlands) and in certain Comoro Islands, their implantation in a favorable biotope was contemporary with the coming of humans. The late introduction of malaria in the "Grand" Comoro island was the result of major human modification of the environment (construction of rainwater tanks), which was associated with the adaptation of the vector. In these zones, malaria is a stable type, with permanent transmission and seasonal reinforcement. From Madagascar, the vector was possibly introduced to Mauritius via a steamship line. This hypothesis is consistent with the biological constraints of the anopheles vector in that the inter-island distance was shortened. Also, transport of the vector by wind during a cyclone from Mauritius to Réunion cannot be excluded. Once introduced, the vectors were in an environment sufficiently reshaped by humans (deforestation) to allow implantation of a heliophile species like A. gambiae s.l. In Mauritius, after repeated eradication campaigns by spraying within the homes, anopheles emerged without transmission of malaria. The islands of Rodriguez and the Seychelles, protected by their geographical isolation, remain unscathed due to the absence of the vector.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMed1998

[Dengue, arbovirus and migrations in the Indian Ocean].

An arbovirus requires a competent haematophagous arthropod for transmission from one vertebrate to another susceptible host. Air transportations allow quick transfers from place to place and the diffusion of potential vectors or infectious hosts. The merchandise transportation by containers allowed the diffusion of Ae. albopictus from Asia through Africa and America. Emerging arbovirusis may occur in zones where they do not exist. Dengue which originally was located in southeastern Asia, is the most important arbovirusis in the world. The occurrence of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) in Asia and America, mostly in urban areas, increased the global concern about dengue. Likewise, cases of DHF are not reported in Africa and in the Indian Ocean southwestern islands. The principal vector of dengue, Aedes aegypti, was present during the dengue 1 outbreak in Comoros, in 1993. In the other islands, only few specimens of Ae. aegypti are observed, and described mostly as none anthropophilic forms. The role of Ae. albopictus as vector of dengue was suspected and reported during outbreaks in Seychelles and Réunion island in 1977-1978. Yellow fever, present in Africa mostly in restricted areas, is absent in Asia. Japanese encephalitis considered as an emerging disease in India could expand through the islands. Rift valley fever, with periodic epizootics in domestic ungulates in Africa, was described as a new disease in Madagascar in 1990-1991. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is also present in Madagascar. Humans can be infected by vector bite or by handling infectious animal products. The distribution of other viruses (West Nile, Sindbis, Wesselsbron or Chikungunya) is discussed.

Aedes↗
PubMed1979

Hermann Snellen.

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History, 19th Century↗