Dean's Office

Dean

Dr. D. M. Pfukenyi, DPhil, MVSc,BVSc

WELCOME

The academic quality of the veterinary degree and other programmes offered by the faculty is of utmost importance to us. Internationally, the veterinary profession is currently under scrutiny with regards its relevance to modern society. We are aware of the need to review programmes and curricula continually in order to keep abreast with national, regional and global demands. Modern veterinary education also needs to move towards a more student-centred education which encourages self-learning and problem- solving. Previously career opportunities in Zimbabwe and most of the region were mostly in the government veterinary services and public universities but currently many veterinarians have to start their own businesses or work in other fields such as the pharmaceutical and commercial pig and poultry industry. Additional knowledge and skills on aspects such as animal welfare, communication, professional ethics, entrepreneurship, management and leadership have been introduced into the curricula. A good professional should also have awareness of the need for lifelong learning. The faculty with the guidance of the profession and other stakeholders is able to come up with tailor-made continuous professional development (CPD) modules. The faculty is involved in research and innovation targeted at the development of human resources that can effectively transform animal health, welfare and productivity in the region.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

  • Veterinary epidemiology, Research Methods and Biostatistics & Animal Health Economics


AREAS OF RESEARCH INTERESTS:

  • Epidemiology of parasitic and other diseases
  • Zoonoses and Food Safety


PUBLICATIONS:

  1. Mukaratirwa, S., La Grange, L. and Pfukenyi, D.M. (2012). Trichinella infections in animals and humans in sub-Saharan Africa: A review. Acta Tropica, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.09.005
  2. Chikerema, S.M., Pfukenyi, D.M., Hang’ombe, B.M., L’Abee-Lund, T.M. and Matope, G.M. (2012). Isolation of Bacillus anthracis from soil in selected high-risk areas of Zimbabwe. Journal of Applied Microbiology, doi:10.1111/jam.12006
     
  3. Makaya, P.V., Matope, G. and Pfukenyi, D.M. (2012). Distribution of Salmonella serovars and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella Enteritidis from poultry in Zimbabwe. Avian Pathology, 41: 221-226; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2012.667558
     
  4. Chikerema, S.M., Pfukenyi, D.M., Matope, G. and Bhebhe, E. (2012). Temporal and spatial distribution of cattle anthrax outbreaks in Zimbabwe between 1967 and 2006. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44: 63-70; DOI: 10.1007/s11250-010-9888-z
  5. Gomo, C., de Garine-Wichatitsky, M., Caron, A. and Pfukenyi, D.M. (2012). Survey of brucellosis at the wildlife-livestock interface on the Zimbabwean side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44: 77-85; DOI: 10.1007/s11250-011-9890-5
  6. Mosalagae, D.,Pfukenyi, D. M. and Matope, G. (2011). Milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 43: 733-739, DOI: 10.1007/s11250-010-9761-5
  7. Zimba, M., Pfukenyi, D.M., Loveridge, J. and Mukaratirwa, S. (2011). Seasonalabundance of plague vector Xenopsylla brasiliensis from rodents captured in three habitat types of periurban suburbs of Harare, Zimbabwe.Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 11(8):1187-1192, DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0095
  8. Matope, G., Makaya, P.V., Dhliwayo, S., Gadha, S., Madekurozwa, R.L. and Pfukenyi, D. (2010). A retrospective study of brucellosis seroprevalence in commercial and smallholder cattle farms of Zimbabwe. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 58(4): 326-333
  9. de Garine-Wichatitsky, M., Caron, A., Gomo, C., Pfukenyi, D., Foggin, C., Dutlow, K., Lane, E., Le Bel, S., Hofmeyr, M., Hlokwe, T. and Michel, A. (2010). Bovine tuberculosis in buffaloes, Southern Africa. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 16(5):884-885.
  10. Pfukenyi, D.M., Chipunga, S. L., Dinginya, L. and Matenga, E. (2010). A survey of pet ownership, awareness and public knowledge of pet zoonoses with particular reference to roundworms and hookworms in Harare, Zimbabwe.Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42(2):247-52, DOI: 10.1007/s11250-009-9413-9
  11. Pfukenyi, D. M.,Pawandiwa, D., Makaya, P. V. and Ushewokunze-Obatolu, U. (2009). A retrospective study of wildlife rabies in Zimbabwe, between 1992 and 2003.Tropical Animal Health and Production, 41(4):565-72, DOI: 10.1007/s11250-008-9224-4
  12. Pfukenyi, D.M.,Pawandiwa, D., Makaya, P.V. and Ushewokunze-Obatolu, Unesu. (2007). A retrospective study of rabies in humans in Zimbabwe, between 1992 and 2003. Acta Tropica, 102 (3): 190-196, doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2007.04.013
  13. Pfukenyi, D.M., Mukaratirwa, S., Willingham, A.L. and Monrad, J. (2007). Epidemiological studies of parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes, cestodes and coccidia infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 74 (2): 129-142.
  14. Pfukenyi, D.M.,Mukaratirwa, S., Willingham, A.L. and Monrad, J. (2006). Epidemiological studies of Schistosoma mattheei infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 73 (3): 179-191.
  15. Pfukenyi, D.M.,Mukaratirwa, S., Willingham, A.L. and Monrad, J. (2006). Epidemiological studies of Fasciola gigantic infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 73 (1): 37-51.
  16. Pfukenyi, D.M.,Monrad, J. and Mukaratirwa, S. (2005). Epidemiology and control of trematode infections in cattle in Zimbabwe: a review. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 76 (1): 9-17.
  17. Pfukenyi, D.M.,Mukaratirwa, S., Willingham, A.L. and Monrad, J. (2005). Epidemiological studies of amphistomeinfections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 72 (1): 67-86.
  18. Pfukenyi, D.M.and Mukaratirwa, S. (2004). A retrospective study of the prevalence and seasonal variation of Fasciola gigantic infections in cattle slaughtered in the major abattoirs of Zimbabwe between 1990 and 1999. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 71 (1): 181-187.
  19. Makaya, P.V., Munjeri, N. and Pfukenyi, D.M. (2002). Detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in cattle using a PCR amplification system. Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal, 33 (1): 1-5.
  20. Ushewokunze-Obatolu, U., Pfukenyi, D.M. and Ushe, T. (1999). A retrospective epidemiological study of parasitic otitis in cattle in the South-East Lowveld of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal, 30 (1): 19-24.


Deputy Dean

Dr G. Matope, DPhil., MVSc, BVSc.             email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                                                                                               

Areas of Specialization                                 

  • Veterinary Microbiology (Bacteriology)
  • Research Interests                                                                                                        
  • Molecular epidemiology and zoonotic diseases