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Dr. Esther Gwae Kimaro is a veterinarian, lecturer, and researcher at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Arusha, Tanzania. She specializes in the epidemiology of infectious diseases and the One Health approach, with expertise in the surveillance and control of zoonoses, vector-borne diseases, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). She has led and contributed to multiple research projects addressing livestock and public health challenges and is currently advancing One Health initiatives aimed at solving community health problems through evidence-based interventions. With nearly 30 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Kimaro is a recognized researcher and an awardee of the Afrique One-REACH Consortium Postdoctoral Fellowship (2024–2025) under DELTAS Africa II. She is also a recipient of the 2024 Public and Community Engagement DELTAS Africa II Programme Award. Her research focuses on applying the One Health approach to the management of NTDs, emphasizing community engagement, capacity building, and the development of sustainable solutions for improving human, animal, and environmental health.
Current Community Engagement project
In Tanzania, particularly among Maasai pastoral communities of Monduli District in Northern Tanzania, there is growing concern over a fatal parasitic neurological syndrome affecting small ruminants, known as Taenia multiceps “coenurosis” or “ormilo.” The disease’s high incidence and economic impact on small ruminant production have created uncertainty among livestock keepers on how to effectively break the transmission cycle. Although dog deworming is a recognized control method for T. multiceps, its importance is not well perceived by the Maasai community, limiting the success of existing control efforts. This project seeks to address ormilo disease through a participatory intervention aimed at co-creating practical and culturally acceptable dog deworming practices with Maasai communities. By bridging the gap between science and society, the project brings together local communities and scientists to develop sustainable solutions aligned with socio-cultural norms. Key activities include grassroots sensitisation and participatory meetings to design feasible deworming strategies. The intervention is supported by ongoing monitoring and data collection, focusing on behavioural change among livestock keepers and reductions in ormilo prevalence. Baseline assessments have been completed, and participatory meetings on ormilo and sustainable dog deworming practices are currently underway.