This study assessed the management practices for controlling porcine cysticercosis (PC) on pig farms and in pork at the slaughter slabs in two counties (Busia and Kakamega) of Western Kenya. A total of 162 pig-rearing households at the farm level, 26 butcher owners, and 26 slaughter slab workers at the slaughter slab level were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the “Statistical Analysis System” (SAS) programme. Results indicated that the frequent management practices used at the farm level (p<0.05) were rearing pigs under free range (69.1%), latrine ownership by households (87.7%), and use of pit latrines (72.8%) in households. At the slaughter level (p<0.05), results of the butcher owners (76.9%) and slaughter slab workers (62.5%) revealed that meat inspection was not practiced adequately in the two areas of study. The results imply that slaughtered pigs for human consumption were not adequately inspected, and thus, the study recommends for implementation of effective pig management practices at the farm level and pork meat inspection at slaughter slabs to prevent PC infections and assure food safety along the pork value chain.

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Ticks are important ectoparasites of livestock in tropical and sub-tropical countries. They are responsible for the enormous economic losses both through the direct effects of blood sucking and indirectly as vectors of disease pathogens and toxins. Morphologically, ticks are classified into two families known as Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). In this chapter, the authors provide a description of the soft and hard ticks. Emphasis is laid on the genera morphology, species, mammalian hosts, and distribution and the diseases transmitted by the ticks species. Various methods for controlling ticks and tick-borne diseases using chemicals are described. A broad range of chemical acaricides used for the control of ticks on livestock are described. Conventional methods and unconventional methods for applying acaricides to protect livestock against ticks are described. Alternative methods for tick control are described. Only the most important hard and soft ticks and associated diseases are discussed within the limits of this review.

Ticks are distributed worldwide and have an enormous medical and veterinary importance owing to the direct damage they cause and indirectly as vectors of a large variety of human and animal pathogens. The family Argasidae (soft ticks) comprises five genera and with about 193 species. Among all the argasid ticks, only four Argas and two Ornithodoros species are competent to transmit diseases. This chapter describes the various ticks of the argasidae family, diseases they transmit, and strategies for their control. A description of the two important genera, Ornithodorus and Argas, that belong to the family argasidae are provided. Emphasis is on the mammalian hosts affected, tick species involved, morphological features (with relevant pictorials), geographic distribution, life cycle, and economic importance. A detailed description of the two most important diseases transmitted by argasidae ticks namely African swine fever (ASF) and avian spirochaetosis is given. Emphasis is laid on the historical background, epidemiology, clinical signs, and strategies for their control.

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