An Assessment of the Risk Factors Associated with Disease Outbreaks across Tilapia Farms in Central and Southern Zambia
Kunda Ndashe,
Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe,
Katendi Changula,
John Yabe,
Mulemba Tillika Samutela,
Mwansa M. Songe,
Alexander Shula Kefi,
Loziwe Njobvu Chilufya,
Martin Sukkel
Affiliations
Kunda Ndashe
Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe
Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Katendi Changula
Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
John Yabe
Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Mulemba Tillika Samutela
Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Mwansa M. Songe
Central Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Development, Lusaka P.O. Box 33980, Zambia
Alexander Shula Kefi
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chilanga P.O. Box 350100, Zambia
Loziwe Njobvu Chilufya
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chilanga P.O. Box 350100, Zambia
Martin Sukkel
Department of Environmental, Social, Quality Assurance and Fish Health, Yalelo Limited, Kamimbi Village, Siavonga P.O. Box 18, Zambia
The study investigated the management practices that contribute to disease outbreaks in farmed tilapia in Lusaka and central and southern provinces in Zambia. It was a cross-sectional qualitative study undertaken from January to March 2021 in which questionnaires were administered to 49 farmers to assess their fish health management and biosecurity competence. Data were analysed using means, percentages, ratios, and logistical regression. The results showed that the majority of the farms had high stocking densities (>8 fish/m2, 44.4%), reared Nile tilapia (67.7%), and sourced water for farming from rivers and streams (45.7%). A few farmers measured water quality parameters daily (16.7%) and removed dead fish from ponds daily (20.8%). The stocking density (p = 0.013), fish species (p = 0.031), dead fish disposal methods (p = 0.023), and control of predator birds (p = 0.016) influenced the total mortality recorded on farms, while pond type (p = 0.031 and p = 0.045), water source (p = 0.023), and stocking density (p = 0.027) influenced the duration of a mortality episode. It is evident that some fish health management practices and biosecurity concepts among tilapia farmers in the study area are inadequate and may not contain disease outbreaks or the spread of pathogens.
