NEWS @GSU Gwanda State University Newsletter

Esprit De Corps December 2020

GSU SECOND STREAM STUDENTS GRADUATE INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Gwanda State Uni- versity wins big ..

University donates books ......

Official raising of GSU flag ...... Some of the Graduands

GWANDA State University (GSU) endeavours ands attended the physical ceremony. In the First Year Students to be a world class centre of excellence for learn- light of the Covid-19 pandemic and in line ing, research and innovation in all academic with World Health Organisation (WHO) Orientation Pro- spheres, a vision that has put the Institution on guidelines and Government regulations, the the limelight. 2020 Graduation was mainly virtual, with gramme...... selected graduands being capped physically Following its inception in 2015, GSU opened its at the NUST Ceremonial Hall. doors for the first intake stream while it ran as a Staff bids farewell college under the National University of Science A GSU student, Grace Gatsi, who graduated with a to VC Prof and Technology (NUST). first class degree in Animal Science, was among other selected graduands who attended the physical Mlilo ...... History was made last year in 2019 when the ceremony while other graduands participated virtu- first cohort graduated under NUST. This year ally. has been another great year following the gradu- ation of 17 GSU students who also graduated Greater achievements lie ahead for Gwanda State Science Corner under the same institution. University as it looks forward to install the Chan- ……………. cellor on the anticipated first graduation to be held The year’s edition of the graduation was a bit in year 2022. different as only invited First Class gradu-

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December 2020 Esprit De Corps Page 2 Gwanda State University wins big

Grace T Gatsi (Animal Science Student) and Anele Sibanda (Geomatics and Surveying Student)

GWANDA State University won big at the SAYWHAT National Universities Quiz Challenge which was hosted by the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) with support from the Embassy of Sweden in Zimba- bwe.

The universities quiz challenge – dubbed the UniQ Challenge – was held on Monday and Tuesday the 14th and the 15th of Sep- tember 2020 and broadcasted live on the Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) and SAYWHAT Facebook Pages.

The SAYWHAT team, GSU representatives Grace T Gatsi (Animal Science Student) and Anele Sibanda (Geomatics and Sur- veying Student) got second position out of 10 institutions.

The 10 State Universities participated in the competition are the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS), Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), Midlands State University (MSU), Gwanda State University (GSU), Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Lupane State University (LSU), Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) and Great Zimbabwe University (GZU).

The 2020 edition of the Universities Quiz Challenge ran under the theme, SRH and COVID-19: An Era of Double Barrelled Action. The thrust of the theme was to bring to the surface the need for integrated public health response systems which can detect early and efficiently respond to public health emergencies.

One of the key features of public health responses systems in Africa are the glaring gaps in preparedness to respond to public health emergencies. The global COVID-19 pandemic has again exposed that reality with most non-clinical health activities be- ing halted or scaled down and the general citizenry not being provided with adequate risk and exposure information on COVID- 19.

The UniQ Challenge was composed of questions ranging from the categories of family planning and contraception; Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Human Immune Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), GBV as well as drug and substance abuse.

Questions on sexual exploitation and abuse; abortion care services; COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and cancers of the repro- ductive system; and climate change and environment also formed part of the quiz.

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Page 3 Esprit De Corps December 2020 UNIVERSITY DONATES BOOKS

From left is the Ass Librarian Ms T Hwalima presenting a dona- Second from right is Mr Dube from Filabusi High School receiv- tion of books to the Marvel Head who is on the far right. ing a donation of books from the GSU Team.

GSU remains committed to engage and adopt communities within its teen, Nurture of the heart, feed the world: The inspiring life journeys vicinity for the purposes of championing their challenges and needs. of two vagabonds, Literature about Youth and Adolescence: Coming In achieving its obligations, the institution donated a total number of of Age, The Physical Universe (12th Edition), Global Studies: China 941 books to three institutions namely Filabusi District Hospital, Fila- (12th Edition), The Broadview Guide to Writing (3rd Edition), Mi- busi High School and Marvel Primary School. crosoft Office Word 2003 Quicksteps, Applied Statistics in Business and Economics, Writer`s Choice Grammar and Composition, Peak Filabusi District Hospital received 200 books which cut across the Performance: Success in College and Beyond, CHINDIA: How China following titles, Emergency Medical Technician in Action, The Para- and India are Revolutionising Global Business, The Humanistic Tradi- medic, Focus on Health (7th Edition), Concepts in Health (10th Edi- tion (Volume1), Prehistory to the Early Modern World (5th Edition), tion), Fit and Well: Core concepts and labs in physical fitness and Critical Thinking: An introduction to the Basic Skills (4th Edition), wellness, ACLS Essentials; Basics and more, USMLE Road Map Visual Basic 6.0 Brief Course, Word @ Work, Volume 2 Production Emergency Medicine, Pocket guide to accompany emergency Medical and Design. Technician EMT in action, Seventeen, Nurture of the heart, feed the world: The inspiring life journeys of two vagabonds. Marvel Primary School received 291 books which cut across the fol- lowing titles, Activity Phonics: Builds better readers, Mathmania, The Filabusi High School received 450 books which cut across the follow- Broadview Guide to Writing (3rd Edition), Microsoft Office Word ing titles, Physical Science, Earth Sciences, Beginning and Intermedi- 2003 Quicksteps, Writer`s Choice Grammar and Composition, Litera- ate Algebra: The language and Symbolism of Mathematics (2nd Edi- ture about Youth and Adolescence: Coming of Age. tion), Mathematics: Applications and connections (Course 3), Infor- mation Technology, The World of Science: What is Science, Seven- Scenes during the Official raising of the GSU Flag on 9 September 2020

Miss Faith Rupare (Security) Officially raising the GSU Flag GSU Management and some members holding the University Flag December 2020 Esprit De Corps Page 4 2020/ 2021 First Year Students Orientation Programme in Pictures

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Samson Sibanda Addressing First year students following proceedings during their orientation pro- First year Students during Orientation gramme

Students tour GSU Campus as part of their orientation pro- Students educated on the use of E-Learning platforms at the GSU Computer gramme Laboratory

FIVE KEY AREAS THAT RELATE TO STU- of your studies, approach your lecturers or personnel in the Divi- DENTS WHO ARE STUDYING AWAY FROM sion of Student Affairs. They will help you HOME: ADDRESS BY THE ACTING VICE- TIME MANAGEMENT CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR SAMSON SIBAN- DA Some of you are experiencing being away from home for the first time. This can be a challenge for some. All of a sudden, there is no one to tell you when you are supposed to be home, when you are sup- PERSUIT OF STUDIES posed to be doing your home work e.t.c. As students, your primary goal at GSU is the PURSUIT of your You are supposed to learn to MANAGE your time in relation to your studies; all other pursuits are secondary. You must not lose sight other activities amongst which is attendance at lectures. of that goal. We have qualified and competent staff to help you in that direction; should you encounter challenges during the course NEWS @ GSU www.gsu.ac.zw Excellence through Esprit De CorpCorps

Page 5 Esprit De Corps December 2020

From the onset, set yourself goals and time lines because time WHAT UNITES US lost will never be recovered no matter how hard you work. GSU is a great brand that we believe in. Apart from the Vision and HEALTH ISSUES Mission, we are united by what we call Core Values. As a student it is a MUST that you must be familiar with these Core Values. These We are leaving under very difficult times. As if HIV/AIDS was Core Values are Integrity, Equity, Innovativeness, not bad enough, we now have an aggressive newcomer, the COVID 19 pandemic. Accountability, Excellence, and Esprit De Corps. If you live by these values, your life on and off campus would be enjoyable. To date, Zimbabwe has the highest number of infections in sub- Saharan Africa at 12,8% with 1,4 million people living with AIDS As the GSU family, these are the values that unite us; we value these in Zimbabwe in 2019. Core Values, because they speak volumes of who we are.

There is need for behavioural change, particularly among our MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND DIALOGUE youth, if we have to overcome issues of HIV/AIDS. The newcom- er is equally aggressive. To date, we have 7.9k infections with the Every family has rules and regulations and as the GSU family we have rd death toll standing at 230 as at 3 October 2020. rules as enshrined in the Yearbook and Ordinance 30.

So let us take the issue of masks and social distancing and wash- As students I urge you to be familiar with these. Even in the best of families, there are sometimes misunderstandings. ing of hands a little bit more seriously. More importantly, let us wear our mask properly. This is normal and sometimes unavoidable. What is most important about these misunderstandings is how we manage them; if we do not Let us take preventive measures against the two. If you have to seem to meet your expectations; please approach us; do not tell the swim, ensure that you have a swimming costume. outside world.

STAFF BIDS FAREWELL TO VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR NTOMBIZAKHE MLILO {IN PICTURES}

Professor Ntombizakhe Mlilo (Left) receives a present from Ms Prof Mlilo giving her farewell Speech Faith Rupare (representing GSU Staff)

Information and Public Relations Office, Gwanda State University, Epoch Mine Campus, P. O. Box Filabusi, Zimbabwe Contacts: +263 284 2824720/1 Ext 245 Email Address: [email protected] Facebook Page: Gwanda State University, Twitter Account: @Gwanda State University

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December 2020 SCIENCE CORNER Page 6

Flea species behind plague transmission in Zimbabwe for example when flooding or drought occurs. Deforestation result- ing in destruction of wild rodent habitat is also a risk factor for hu- Zoonotic parasites like viruses, bacteria, and protozoans all serve as mans and their commensal rats (Frean, 2006). Alternatively, humans potential infection possibilities for rodents (Krijger, 2020). Names may encroach on rodent habitat through agricultural activities, when of some of the zoonotic parasitic diseases in rodents are Hantavirus hunting or developing residence places (Frean, 2006). Also humans’ pulmonary syndrome, Hemorrhagic fever; Crimean-Congo Hemor- domestic animals can intrude into rodent habitat thereby becoming rhagic fever, Hepatitis E, cowpox, lassa fever (viral diseases); lepto- infected and consequently becoming a source of infection for hu- spirosis, Lyme disease, murine typhus, rickettsial pox, tularemia and mans. A diagramatic summary of plague transmission cycle is plague (bacterial diseases), not only but to mention a few (Meerburg shown in figure 1. et al. 2009). Plague a bacterial infectious disease mainly harboured Although plague is mainly thought of as a disease of princi- by rodents and spread by fleas, is one of the serious zoonotic diseas- pal historical importance, there are increasing reports of its occurrence es, especially in its droplet infection state (Dean et al. 2018; Bra- and it is a disease of indigent in Africa, South America and India manti et al. 2019). The pneumonic form can spread very fast (WHO, 2016; Melman et al. 2018). The possible reason why it is so through horizontally transmission (person to person) causing serious could be that the poor in these countries live in urban slams (Ko & epidemics if not detected and treated early (WHO, 2017). Costa, 2017) where there is high rodents infestations due to poor liv- ing conditions. These people comprising the poor class of the commu- Plague therefore is concomitantly a medical and public health men- nity mostly undertake out door jobs like hunting and deforestation ace. Human infection by plague sometimes occurs when plague increasing their chances of being infected by plague disease. Addition- occurs among commensal rats living in the periphery of human habi- ally, poor people living in rural areas end up acquiring plague disease tats acquire the disease from wild rodents (ECDC, 2014). Massive due to some everyday activities like keeping food in their houses and die offs in the house rats fauna causes infected fleas to opt for hu- their everyday chores of doing agriculture related activities and fetch- man beings (Parija, 2009; Kohn, 1995) and their domestic animals. ing fire wood. Conversely, human beings contact plague when wild rodents en- croach on human habitat in search of food or when weather changes causing wild rodents to seek shelter and food on human premises,

Figure 1, Plague transmission cycle (Frean, 2006)

Plague in Zimbabwe was found to be endemic in Lupane and Nkayi, to 1982 where rodent species involved in Y. pestis harbouring were that is, natural region IV (Manungo et al. 1998). Region IV has been identified (Taylor & Pugh, 1982). Recent rodents and flea species observed to be expanding, now covering some parts of Matabeleland identification has been conducted outside the foci (Zimba et al. South inclusive of Umzingwane district and the greater part of Gwe- 2012). Between 1974 and 1975 plague outbreaks in Nkayi were ru (Mugandani et al. 2012). The shifting of natural regions bounda- confined to the Shangani River (Munyenyiwa et al., 2019). During ries strongly points to evidence of climate variability and change this outbreak about four rodent species were discovered to be vul- (Mugandani et al. 2012). Although this region harbours plague foci nerable to plague, i.e., the bush squirrels (Paraxerus spp.), the mul- its rodents and flea species identification information are back dated timammate mouse (Mastomys spp. complex), the local gerbil

December 2020 Esprit De Corps Page 7 red to be vulnerable to plague, i.e., the bush squirrels (Paraxerus rat (Rattus rattus) and it has been transmitted world-wide by ship rats. spp.), the multimammate mouse (Mastomys spp. complex), the local It also occurs on small mammals and this has made it difficult to de- gerbil (Tatera leucogaster) and the three stripped mouse (Rhabdomys termine its original wild host. It is postulated that the original wild pumilio) (Taylor & Pugh, 1982). Between 1981 and 1985 human cases host were rats with climbing abilities which lived in hollow trees, on as well occurred in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe, of which T. leu- the surface under shelter or in similar situations, such as is found in cogaster was the rodent species found positive with Y. pestis. Since the African Bush Rat (Aethomys chrysophilus), the multimammate rat 1994 plague cases were not frequently reported in Zimbabwe and the (Mastomys natalensis), the Namaqua Rock Rat (Aethomys namaquen- reasons for that are not clear (Munyenyiwa et al. 2019). There may be sis) and the Black tailed Tree Rat (Thallomys paedulcus) (Haeselbarth possibilities that there is under reporting of plague disease, since et al, 1966). Xenopsylla brasiliensis is of great importance as a carrier plague has variable symptoms, thus can be mistaken for malaria of plague in Africa. (Lofty, 2015). This under reporting could be due to poor knowledge Ctenophthalmus calceatus is a common parasite of small on plague among native people living in plague endemic agro- mammals, mainly Muridae, in Southern and Eastern Africa ecological zone, low surveillance by the health personnel and none (Haeselbarth et al., 1966). Among the small mammals in Muridae availability of testing kits. During one of our investigations local com- which serve as hosts, the four-striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) and munities were not knowledgeable on fleas, therefore this article wants the South African Vlei Rat (Otomys irroratus) are the most important to make people appreciate flea species collected during one of our (Haeselbarth et al., 1966). investigations (Figure 2). Flea species are known plague disease trans- Dinopsyllus ellobius is a flea of southern Africa, distributed mitters and they feed on the body of their host (ectoparasites). There in the north as far as southern Rhodesia. It infests many small animal are three main families of fleas of medical importance (Walker, 1994). species, mainly Muridae. Common on gerbils, usual parasite of the There is the Pulicidae family consisting of the genera Pulex, Xenopsyl- highveld gerbil (Tatera brantsi). Other common hosts are vlei rats la, Ctenocephalides and Echidnophaga. Secondly there is the Cera- (Otomys irroratus), multimammate rat and four stripped mouse. In the tophyllidae family which consist of Ceratophyllus and Nosopsyllus laboratory this species is a good plague transmitter, however it is not and then lastly there is the Tungidae family consisting of the genus considered a major plague propagator in wild rodents, because its Tunga. Flea species like Chiastopsylla rossi and Dinopsyllus. ellobius. range comprises regions both inside and outside the plague-enzootic Xenopsylla brasiliensis in southern Africa are known effective trans- area (Haeselbarth et al., 1966). mitters of plague, thereby requiring urgent monitoring (Munyenyiwa Chiastopsylla rossi distribution covers some parts of south- et al. 2019). Combs of spines (ctenidia) on the head (genal comb), and ern Rhodesia. It is principal a nest flea but has been found on rodents. the combs on the first segment of the thorax (pronotal combs) are The main host of the species are four stripped mouse, vlei rat, high- morphological features used to identify fleas to genus level. These veld gerbil and bush karoo rat (Otomys unisulcatus), it can also infest combs are conspicuous and can distinguish one genera to the other but many other small rodents. C. rossi is a proved plague vector but be- additionally some other features which become visible in specimens cause of its occurrence outside and inside the plague enzootic area, it that have been made semi-transparent for mounting on a microscope is not though of being that important in plague transmission slide can also be used. (Haeselbarth et al., 1966). Xenopsylla brasiliensis is native to all of African countries which are south of the Sahara. It is the most common vector of plague By Annabel Banda compared to Xenopsylla cheopis. This species has spread to other parts of the world such as Brazil and India. It is an effective plague vector, especially in rural environments. X. brasiliensis is intolerant of high temperatures but is resistant to drought conditions. It occurs on House

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