All infections are potentially curable as long as the etiological agents are susceptible to antimicrobials. The increased rate at which antimicrobials are becoming ineffective is a global health risk of increasing concern that threatens withdrawal of beneficial antimicrobials for disease control. The increased demand for food of animal origin, in particular eggs, meat and milk has led to intensification and commercial production systems where excessive use and misuse of antimicrobials may prevail. Antimicrobials, handled and used by farmers and animal attendants with no formal education, may be predisposed to incorrect dosages, misuse, incorrect applications and non-adherence to withdrawal periods. This study was conducted to assess the regulatory roles and governance of antimicrobials, establish the pattern and extent of their use, evaluate the antimicrobial residues and resistance in the food animals and crop agriculture value chains, and relate these findings to existing strategies in place for combating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Tanzania. A multimethod approach (desk review, field study and interviews) was used. Relevant establishments were also visited. High levels of resistance to penicillin G, chloramphenicol, streptomycin and oxytetracycline have been reported, especially for Actinobacter pyogenes, Staphylococcus hyicus, Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus aureus from dairy cattle with mastitis and in humans. Similar trends were found in poultry where eggs and meat are contaminated with Escherichia coli strains resistant to amoxicillin + clavulanate, sulphamethoxazole and neomycin. An increasing trend of emerging multidrug resistant E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella was also found in food animals. An increase in methicillin resistant Staphlococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in the livestock sector in Tanzania have been reported. The pathogens isolated in animals were resistant to ampicillin, augmentin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, amoxicillin, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, tylosin, erythromycin, cefuroxime, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. An increased usage of antimicrobials for prophylaxis, and therapeutics against pathogens and for growth promotion in livestock, aquaculture and crop production were observed. A One Health strategic approach is advocated to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food and agriculture sectors in Tanzania. Practical recommendations include (a) legislation review and implementation; (b) antimicrobial use (AMU), AMR and antimicrobial residue (AR) awareness and advocacy among stakeholders along the value chain; (c) strengthening of surveillance and monitoring programs for AMU, AMR and AR; (d) enhanced development and use of rapid and innovative diagnostic tests and the promotion of biosecurity principles; and (e) good husbandry practices. The utilization of this information to improve public health policies and reduce the burden of AMR will be beneficial.

Commercially available conventional drugs have been used to adulterate herbal products. Considering the rapid growth of herbal products’ market, it is essential to screen herbal products for the presence of conventional drugs. Simple analytical methods are needed for the rapid screening of conventional drugs that are likely to be adulterated in herbal products. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods for screening twelve conventional drugs in herbal products have been developed and applied. The analytes were extracted from herbal products using acetonitrile:methanol:acetic acid:water (4:4:1:1, v/v). Solvent mixture of dichloromethane:ethyl acetate:methanol (75:15:10, v/v) separated well trimethoprim, sildenafil, paracetamol, and sulfamethoxazole while pyrimethamine, metronidazole, and sulfadoxine were well separated by dichloromethane:ethyl acetate:methanol (77.5:12.5:10, v/v). In addition, acetyl salicylic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac, quinine, and lumefantrine were well separated by ethyl acetate:methanol:30% ammonia (75:22.5:2.5, v/v). Chromatographic separations were found to be highly reproducible, and more than 10 samples can be analysed in one run. The method was applied in the screening of 229 herbal products. Consequently, 24.0% of the samples contained one adulterant, while 21.4% contained at least two adulterants. All conventional drugs detected in herbal products were not mentioned on the labels and therefore the consumers are kept unaware of their side effects and health problems. Further studies for confirming and quantitatively determining the adulterants in a wide range of products as well as a systematic toxicological analysis of the adulterants in herbal products are recommended.

Western Indian Ocean countries have banned elasmobranch finning and enacted legislation to protect endangered elasmobranchs, however finned and morphologically deformed specimens are still landed and traded on Tanzanian fish markets. Such specimens are difficult to identify morphologically, and it is possible that protected elasmobranchs are among these. This study used DNA barcoding to uncover protected elasmobranchs in 102 specimens traded on Tanzanian fish markets. The sampled specimens revealed 23 elasmobranch species, 12 of which (52.1 %) were classified as endangered (EN) or critically endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Three of the identified species (great hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran, oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus, and pelagic thresher Alopias pelagicus) are protected by Tanzanian laws. Hence, it is advised that steps be taken to strengthen law enforcement at landing sites and fish markets in the country. Furthermore, the Third Schedule of Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations of 2009 should be updated to include 11 EN and CR elasmobranchs that are not on the list. Additionally, national and regional elasmobranch conservation plans should be developed to prevent the exploitation of endangered elasmobranchs.

Porcine cysticercosis (PCC) is a food‐borne zoonotic disease prevalent in resource‐poor rural communities with free‐range pig management systems and low sanitation practices. Various prevention and control strategies have been implemented in Tanzania, with this study highlighting the importance of community‐based health education in controlling the Taenia solium parasite. The study evaluated the effectiveness of community‐based health education using a cocreated health education package (HEP) on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of smallholder farmers, as well as on the prevalence of PCC in Kongwa and Songwe Districts, Tanzania. A cluster‐randomized health education intervention was conducted between June 2019 and December 2021, with pre‐ and postintervention evaluations of PCC prevalence and smallholder farmers’ KAP. A baseline cross‐sectional study was followed by health education training utilizing the HEP, which included brochures, booklets, and posters. The training was provided to trainers (TOT) who, in turn, trained the community. A commercial Ag‐ELISA kit (apDia, Belgium) was used to identify circulating antigens in pig serum and determine the PCC prevalence both before and after the intervention. A total of 692 and 486 respondents participated in face‐to‐face interviews during the baseline and postintervention periods, respectively. Concurrently, 692 and 317 pigs were sampled during these periods. At baseline, the seroprevalence of PCC was 10.2% in the intervention group and 9.1% in the control group. Twelve months following the health education intervention, the study observed significant improvements in knowledge ( β = 1.779, p = 0.004), attitudes ( β = 1.024, p = 0.038), and practices ( β = 0.719, p = 0.023) among participants. Additionally, a reduction in PCC prevalence was observed—3.9% in the intervention group and 0.9% in the control group—though this difference was not statistically significant (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.27–1.83; p = 0.47). The reduction in PCC is a gradual process that likely requires a longer observation period to yield a measurable impact. The limited duration of follow‐up may have constrained the study’s ability to conclusively attribute the observed decline in PCC seroprevalence to the intervention. Evidence suggests that a comprehensive strategy targeting both intermediate and definitive hosts is essential. Therefore, future health education interventions should integrate mass drug administration for pigs and treatment of human taeniosis—an approach that could be effective in disrupting the lifecycle of Taenia solium .

Leptospirosis remains a globally re-emerging zoonotic disease, undermining livestock productivity and posing public health risks. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of Leptospira infection in domestic ruminants and rodents in Kondoa Town Council (TC) from October 2024 to January 2025. A total of 274 domestic ruminants (cattle, goats, and sheep) and 225 rodent blood samples were collected and assessed for Leptospira antibody using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). Data were analysed in Epi info 7.2.6.0 whereby descriptive statistics were used to estimate prevalence of factors and logistic regression to identify potential risk factors for seropositivity. Overall seroprevalence of Leptospira in domestic ruminants was 18.9%, and the majority were detected in cattle 24.5%. Five Leptospira serovars were detected in domestic ruminants, including L. Pomona, L. Sokoine L. Hebdomadis, L. Grippotyphosa and L. Canicola. In rodents, the seroprevalence was 5.8%, and four Leptospira serovars were detected, including L. Pomona, L. Sokoine, L. Hebdomads and L. Lora, which was more prevalent. Geographic location and history of abortion were significant factors for Leptospira infection in domestic ruminants (p<0.002). The findings underscore the importance of integrated rodent and environmental management strategies to control Leptospira infection, particularly in endemic regions. This study contributes to the understanding of Leptospira epidemiology in Tanzania and emphasizes the need for surveillance and community education to mitigate zoonotic diseases transmission.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a re-emerging vector-borne zoonotic disease that causes outbreaks in humans and animals across Africa. To better understand RVF at human–animal interfaces, a prospective longitudinal survey of people, livestock, and mosquitoes was conducted from 2016 to 2018, in two regions of Tanzania, with distinct climatic zones (Iringa and Morogoro). Molecular and serological tools for testing (RT-qPCR and IgM/IgG ELISA) for RVF virus (RVFV) were used to assess infection and exposure in people and animals. Mosquitoes were collected quarterly from 10 sentinel locations. In total, 1385 acutely febrile humans, 4449 livestock, and 3463 mosquito pools were tested. In humans, IgM seroprevalence was 3.75% (n = 52/1385), and overall seroprevalence (IgM and/or IgG positive) was 8.30% (n = 115/1385). People from Iringa had a higher exposure risk than those from Morogoro (aOR 2.63), and livestock owners had an increased risk compared to non-owners (aOR 2.51). In livestock, IgM seroprevalence was 1.09%, while overall seroprevalence was 10.11%. A total of 68.4% of herds had at least one seropositive animal. Sentinel animal follow-up revealed that the probability of seroconversion was significantly higher in Morogoro. Low-level RVFV RNA was detected in 8 human and 22 mosquito pools. These findings indicate active transmission among vectors, livestock, and people during the study period, highlighting the need for One Health surveillance approaches for RVFV and other arboviruses.