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New research bites back at rodent problem in townships

29 August 2025 | Story Precious Shamase

Pictured are Prof Steven Belmain, Dr Hayley Thompson, and Prof Lourens Swanepoel during their visit to South Africa to kick off a collaborative One Health research project aimed at addressing rodent-related health risks in townships – an initiative that unites local and international experts in the pursuit of safer, community-driven solutions.

A collaborative research project is underway in South African townships to combat the pervasive rodent problem and its impact on human health. Led by Prof Peter Taylor, Professor-in-Residence in the UFS Afromontane Research Unit and affiliated with the UFS Department of Zoology and Entomology, the initiative brings together experts from the UK's Natural Resources Institute (NRI), including Prof Steven Belmain and Dr Hayley Thompson, and South African institutions such as the UFS and the University of Venda.

This 'One Health' approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being. The team visited laboratory facilities at the UFS campuses in Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa, the latter being near Phuthaditjhaba township – a key research site alongside Lwamando in Limpopo.

The multidisciplinary project involves local farmers and university departments, integrating expertise in advanced techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry, molecular virology and microbiology, genome sequencing, and parasitology. Social scientists, such as Dr Shingirayi Chamisa, a lecturer in the UFS Department of Industrial Psychology, are also involved to understand community perceptions and current rodent control methods, including the impact on mental health.

The research will investigate the health risks associated with rodent infestations, including food contamination with poison residues and fungal toxins, and the transmission of disease to humans and livestock through direct contact or parasites. Practical trials will evaluate methods to reduce food contamination.

Significantly, the project will explore novel and humane rodent control strategies, such as contraceptive baits, offering a safer alternative to rodenticides. Recent concerns about rodenticide-related deaths in townships have increased pressure for safer, ecological solutions.

This research holds significant promise for developing sustainable and effective solutions to mitigate the negative impact of rodent pests on the health and livelihoods of township residents. The international and local collaboration, guided by a holistic 'One Health' perspective, marks a crucial step towards addressing this challenging issue. Prof Taylor expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic engagement of all collaborators, highlighting the potential for a truly transdisciplinary project to find meaningful and ecologically sound solutions to rodent-borne pathogens and food contamination in South African townships.

News Archive

Multidisciplinary conference on TB control

2003-09-22

Theme: Tuberculosis control: a multidisciplinary approach to research, policy and practice Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, University of the Free State Campus, Bloemfontein Date: 11 and 12 November 2003 Time: 11 November, 19:00-20:30 AND 12 November 08:30-17:00

Tuesday, 11 November - 19:00-20:30 (registration from 18:30) and Wednesday, 12 November - 08:30-17:00 (registration from 07:30)

The Honourable MEC for Health in the Free State will officially open the Conference on the evening of 11 November, while Prof Frederick Fourie (Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State) will attend to the welcoming. In addition, Prof Françoise Portaels (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium) and Dr Refiloe Matji (National Department of Health, South Africa) will respectively present a global and a South African perspective on TB. The majority of the presentations will follow on 12 November.

Main thrust of Conference

The main thrust of the Conference is to disseminate both research results and policy/managerial matters relevant to TB and TB control, and to facilitate discourse among researchers and health policy makers/managers/practitioners in the field of TB control. Presenters of papers, as well as delegates are, therefore, drawn from both academic/research institutions, and from health service sectors involved in TB control in all provinces and in neighbouring countries.

Topics of presentations

A variety of topics will be dealt with during presentations, such as: New challenges in the global control of MDR-TB New strategies and policies on MDR-TB in South Africa A South African perspective on TB control A provincial perspective on implementing the national TB control policy

The role of the public district hospital in TB control Tuberculosis control through DOTS Case detection strategies

TB in children Hospital to clinic: is this the missing link? Patient compliance with DOT for TB Challenges for effective health communications in a multicultural context

The economics of TB Frequency of multiple infections with M. tuberculosis in pulmonary TB patients HIV/AIDS and TB, etc.

Speakers

Among the speakers will be Dr Victor Litlhakanyane (Head of Health: Free State); Prof Françoise Portaels and Dr Leen Rigouts (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium); Dr Reliloe Matji (Director: NTBC Programme); Ntsiki Jolingana (Director: HIV, AIDS, TB and Communicable Diseases, Free State) and Annatjie Peters (Free State TB Coordinator); Dr Karin Weyer (Medical Research Council); Profs Herman Meulemans, Diana De Graeve, Luc Pauwels and Christiane Timmerman (University of Anwerp, Belgium); Dr Lara Fairall (UCT Lung Institute, University of Cape Town); Prof Frikkie Booysen (Department of Economics, University of the Free State); Christo Heunis, Ega Janse van Rensburg-Bonthuyzen, Zacheus Matebesi and Kobus Meyer (CHSR&D); Dr Mary Ednington (School of Public Health, Wits); Dr Carmen Báez and Sabine Verkuijl (ISDS); Anneke Van der Spoel-Van Dijk (Medical Microbiology, University of the Free State).

Costs

There will be no registration fees. However, delegates are expected to arrange their own transport and accommodation, or arrange for sponsorships themselves.

Contact details in case of inquiries and confirmation:

Postal Address: The Director, CHSR&D, PO Box 339, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300 Fax: 051 448 0370 Tel: 051 401 2181 OR 051 401 3256 E-mail: vrensh@mail.ufs.ac.za (Dingie van Rensburg) OR neljc@mail.ufs.ac.za (Ohna Nel)

PLEASE, CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT AT THE LATEST BEFORE 25 OCTOBER 2003 ? BY TELEPHONE, FAX OR E-MAIL.

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