Research news

Getting rid of rabies (1 July 2014)

The Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Prof Darryn Knobel is in pursuit of eliminating dog rabies across Africa through a novel approach to rabies research. Rabies claims the lives of thousands of people across the continent every year but, for the first time in decades, using evidence-based research the elimination of this devastating disease is considered feasible. Knobel uses a simple method of understanding demographics to determine the vaccination thresholds required for rabies to die out.

UP vets’ quest to save our heritage (24 June 2014)

Three rhinos per day are lost to poaching in South Africa. At this rate there will be no more wild rhinos left in the country by 2020. The world should realise this has far surpassed a poaching problem. This is no longer about the person who trespasses to kill an animal so that he can feed his family. This is organised crime and a war we are losing.

Man’s best friend gives more than loyalty and love (12 June 2014)

Man’s canine companion is set to unravel the mystery of human disease through a study about to commence at UP’s Faculty of Veterinary Science. Prof Andrew Leisewitz is embarking on a study of canine diseases which will hopefully lead to a better understanding of human diseases such as malaria and multiple sclerosis and possibly yield more effective treatments. Using animal models to learn more about these human diseases, Leisewitz’s two research areas are a tick-borne disease and a viral disease, namely canine babesiosis and canine distemper.