Kudu Rabies in Namibia

Where in Namibia was the Kudu rabies the worst. I am planning a hunt south and east almost on the Botswana and RSA border. Anyone know how bad it was there?

The rabies outbreak in Namibia earlier this year has certainly has had an impact on the Kudu in Namibia. From what I have heard the rabies outbreak was mainly more centrally located within the country and spread from Windhoek to the Northern Communal Areas. Some areas have been affected more than others however having not seen a report on this year's outbreak it is hard to say exactly as it is a sensitive topic. It seems that the rabies situation in Namibia has subsided for now...

If I thought the kudu were somewhat scarce in the area I'm going to I would think more about an eland of some other trophy. It is not really a big deal more there to take then I have money for. I am going on a day rate so that does'nt affect me as much as a packaged deal but I will be south of Windhoek. Lenny

Jerome, does MET have any reports on historical outbreaks?

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Jerome, does MET have any reports on historical outbreaks?

I could not find anything... and MET's website is not acting the way it should, something is wrong there.

Anyway, here is an excerpt from a research article entitled "A molecular epidemiological study of rabies epizootics in kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) in Namibia" and published January 2006, to access the full article click here...

By the mid-1970s there was sporadic but endemic rabies throughout most of Namibia, generally with dog and human rabies in the more populous north, jackal and cattle rabies in the central ranching areas and sporadic canid or mongoose rabies in the arid sheep farming areas of the south.

The unusual occurrence of rabies in the kudu antelope (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) was first observed in 1975 near Windhoek. However an epizootic of rabies in these antelopes began to the north in Okahandja district in 1977 and was in the same year that rabies was first confirmed in two kudu in the Etosha National Park. The number of confirmed cases rose steadily throughout 1978?979, spreading westwards along the Swakop River and then north and south during 1978. The latter part of the epizootic (1983?984) coincided with the first cases of lions contracting the disease in the Etosha National Park. It is thought that the lions became infected from hunting rabid kudu, as all four reports of rabid lions were from an area of high kudu population density in eastern Etosha. This kudu epizootic peaked in 1980, but had eventually subsided by 1985, by which time it caused an estimated loss of 30?0 000 antelope, or 20% of the population. However, during 2002 there was another substantial outbreak in kudu, where an estimated 2500 animals on more than 81 farms in Namibia died. This outbreak continued into 2003.

The kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a wild ruminant with spiralling twisted horns, and is generally found in areas of broken rocky terrain where there is easy access to water. In Namibia, the main food source for the kudu is the leaves of Acacia species, including Acacia hereroensis (Berg thorn), along with a variety of other plants in the savannah woodland. They spend most of the year living in small herds of four to six animals which eat and move together, and have close contact with each other through activities such as mutual grooming. These groups will split up during the breeding season, but will come together again later. Contact between different social groups can occur at watering places, along with the possibility of contact with other species. Farm fencing that is usually effective for cattle and gemsbok does not control the movement of kudu, as the kudu can easily jump a 1.2 m fence. The social behaviour of kudu has contributed to the spread of rabies, and it is thought that mouth lesions from the browsing of thorn-bushes may have been a contributing factor due to the presence of RABV in saliva.

The kudu epizootics in Namibia have provided an example of non-bite transmission, with horizontal spread between kudus, and posed a threat to human health via the game breeding and hunting industries in Namibia. At the time of the 1977?983 epizootic, kudu constituted more than 60% of the game farming trade, therefore rabies-infected kudu were a threat to both the consumer and hunter of game.

Thanks Jerome for this research report.
I could not get the MET site to respond either.

What is the typical symptomology in the Kudu that are infected?
Any tips on what to look for?

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

What is the typical symptomology in the Kudu that are infected?
Any tips on what to look for?

Here is an excerpt from an article entitled "Some Aspects of the Rabies Epizootic in Namibia" published May 2003, see attached pdf document to read full article...

3.3 Some biological facts of the kudu
Kudus are usually forming small herds, which averages 5 animals and rarely exceed a dozen. These groups stay close together, they move together and they feed together. Bulls often range over great distances especially during the rut (June, July) and make contact with other social groups.

Kudus are browsers and in Namibia they are largely dependent on the leaves of Acacia trees. It has been shown that the sharp thorns of these trees can inflict wounds in the oral cavity.

Since there was no observed increase of vectors such as jackals, an oral transmission of rabies from kudu to kudu has been assumed, especially also because they are feeding close to each other and may have contact with saliva of infected animals also by grooming. Experimentally it has been proven that kudus are susceptible for an oral transmission of the rabies virus (Barnard et al., 1982).

During favourable years with good rainy seasons the number of kudus may increase considerably. However, if this time is followed by dry years the food gets scarce, what forces the animal to feed even in closer contact. Such conditions with an overpopulation of the antelopes and with following dry years happened in the outbreak of 1977 and are also now present. Farmers in the vicinity of outbreaks should be advised to reduce the number of their kudus to stop the disease spreading.

The main symptoms of rabid kudus are:
- loss of fear, they do not flee when approached, visit buildings
- moderate to copious salivation
- ataxia, swaying gait followed by paralysis
- some animals behave aggressive

Interesting is the fact that during a kudu rabies outbreak many animals obviously with rabies-like symptoms, which are submitted to rabies testing, proved to be negative. In a study performed by Barnard and Hassel (1981) 27 of 80 kudus, which showed rabies-like symptoms were tested negative. 15% of them had increased salivation and 25% showed docility, many of them visited buildings. No answer for this behaviour could be given.

Thanks J.

Good points to pay attention to.
Since this is a "touchy subject" farms are not going to be advertising this information readily.

No further testing on the "negatives" to see if another disease was present. Have to wonder.

Just heard from my PH (Jamy Traut) and he says it hasn't been all that bad

Cliffy, Are you going with Traut or did you just return? I hunted with him at EDEN before he went out on his own. Fun guy to hunt with.

Yes, there was a Kudu die off. This has stopped at the moment. It was arround the Windhoek area and as far up as Otavi. Some lost up to 70% of their Kudu. The other symptom that Phillip mentioned is an intollerance to a substance the thorn trees discharge when the first green leaves appear. When the Kudu eat too much of these fresh green leaves they become ill. It is not dangerous to humans.

The rabies outbreaks especially amongst kudu are a natural phenomenon that occurs every couple of years. It is usually most prevalent in the central northern area where the highest densities of kudu are found. In the far south kudu numbers are low and disease outbreaks like these are less frequent.

True!

Sest,
I am going back to hunt with Jamy once again I also hunted Eden with him a few years ago and the couple we had accompany us for their first safari back then have rebooked with him and we 4 will once again enjoy his hospitality. As you know, he provides a GREAT safari hunting experience.

Originally Posted by Cliffy

Sest,
I am going back to hunt with Jamy once again I also hunted Eden with him a few years ago and the couple we had accompany us for their first safari back then have rebooked with him and we 4 will once again enjoy his hospitality. As you know, he provides a GREAT safari hunting experience.

Jamy has left Eden and has his own hunting safari in the Caprivi area.
You will enjoy it there.