Fri August 6: TRAVEL TO ZANZIBAR

6:00 am: Breakfast and prepare to leave SUA

7:00-11:00 am: Travel from Morogoro to Landmark Hotel, Dar es Salaam

Once at the hotel we unpacked some of our things to make our bags light enough for the short flight to Zanzibar.

11:15 am – 12:30 pm: Control and prevention of human and bovine tuberculosis in people

Presenter: Sayoki Mfinanga, Medical Research Scientist, National Institute Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 

Mfinanga discussed his research to understand the role of bovine tuberculosis in the human TB epidemic in Tanzania. He discussed current programs (COMDOTS) and other efforts to control TB and highlighted the current state of our knowledge regarding the role of zoonotic TB and other zoonoses in human populations in Tanzania. 

12:30 pm:  Lunch

1:30 pm: Travel to Dar es Salaam international airport

3:40 pm: Flight Dar to Zanzibar (Precision Air Flight 713)

This was by far the shortest flight I have ever been on. I sat with Kemi (Nigeria) throughout the 15-minute journey. 

4:10 pm: Arrive Zanzibar and settle into lodgings

6:00-7:15 pm: Conservation of endemic species and their landscapes in Zanzibar

Presenter: Kirsten Siex, Assistant Director Africa Programs & Director Zanzibar Program, WCS

Seix introduced us to the major objectives of the WCS Zanzibar Program, and talked about their efforts to conserve the endemic red colobus monkey and Ader’s Duiker, and the habitat they need to survive. Previous colobus health research and ecotourism challenges were discussed.   

7:30 pm: Dinner  - Chinese Restaurant (Tricia’s Birthday)

We took over the back room of a dark Chinese restaurant in the middle of Stone Town. The instructors ordered a bunch of food for each table and I tried everything. It was similar to the Chinese food at home but maybe a bit more authentic. Unfortunately, before Tricia’s birthday cake was brought out Amelie (Canada) began to feel quite sick. She was overheating, swelling up in her face, crying, and feeling quite thirsty. After a quick celebration our entire group headed back to the hotel. As keeper of the groups medical kit, I rushed up to my room to bring the box down. No one knew quite what was wrong but we all suspected a food allergy. After trying to consult with physicians back home, we were all amazed when Val ran down from his room with the diagnosis. He read off a list of symptoms (of which she had all of them) and determined that she had Chinese Restaurant Syndrome – or MSG toxicity.

Once things seemed to be settled (10ish) Amanda (Colorado) and I tried to go find an internet café. Incredibly, all of them seemed to be closed. Instead we went back to the hotel for an early night.