Retrospective study on cattle and poultry diseases in Uganda

Abstract

Cattle and poultry enterprises are among the major contributors to food security and socioeconomic empowerment of households in Uganda. However, various diseases constrain their productivity. A two-year retrospective study between April 2012 and March 2014 was conducted using records for cattle and poultry diseases diagnosed at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) to determine prevalent diseases in Uganda. The laboratory received 836 samples from poultry (36.3%) and cattle (63.7%). Of the 836 samples, 47.5% had a definitive diagnosis of disease causation. Most of the cattle and poultry diseases diagnosed were protozoan diseases (39.3%) followed by bacterial (21.4%), viral (17.1%), helminthiasis (11.1%), nutritional diseases (4%) and others (7.1%). For poultry, viral diseases (29.5%) and protozoan diseases (27.1%) especially newcastle disease (44.3%) and coccidiosis (100%) respectively, were the most diagnosed. While for cattle, hemo-protozoan parasites (52.1%) were the most prevalent, of which 92.9% were east coast fever infection. Bacterial infection (20.5%) in cattle were the second most diagnosed diseases and mastitis was the most diagnosed (46.2%). In summary, coccidioisis, collibacillosis, newcastle disease, gumboro disease, and avian helminthiasis were the most prevalent poultry diseases while in cattle, east coast fever, helminthiasis, mastitis, brucellosis and rabies were the most frequently diagnosed diseases. This study has identified the major diseases that hinder poultry and cattle production in Uganda. The data generated by CDL could be used for surveillance, monitoring and designing strategic interventions for control of poultry and cattle diseases in Uganda.

Comparison of Tick Control and Antibiotic Use Practices at Farm Level in Regions of High and Low Acaricide Resistance in Uganda

“…It was not surprising to find that ECF was the most common TBD in both regions. This is in agreement with previous reports, which found a prevalence of over 90% of Theileria parva in bovine samples submitted for clinical examination at Veterinary Central Diagnostic Laboratory at Makerere University [ 15 ]. Another study by Muhanguzi et al [ 16 ] also emphasized the veterinary importance of ECF in cattle.…”

“…In both regions, ECF and coinfections of TBDs and mastitis were reported as the most common diseases affecting lactating cattle. This is further supported by previous published reports, which have consistently identified ECF as the most common disease affecting cattle in Uganda and neighboring countries [ 8 , 15 , 21 ]. Farms located in HARA were found to be practicing self-diagnosis and self-treatment of animal diseases without consulting the qualified veterinarian, and this was not any different in farms located in LARA.…”

Bacteriophage activity against and characterisation of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from colibacillosis cases in Uganda

“…Not much information exists for African countries, but in Nigeria, 40% of broiler mortality was caused by APEC, which led to a loss of several millions of dollars [5]. In Uganda, information on economic significance of colibacillosis is not available but it is the most frequent bacterial infection among the chicken samples submitted to the Central Diagnostic Laboratory with a prevalence of 14% [6].…”

Bacteriophage activity against and characterisation of avian pathogenicEscherichia coliisolated from colibacillosis cases in Uganda

“…Avian colibacillosis refers to any localized or systemic infection caused by Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) belonging to several serogroups; and remains one of the most prevalent bacterial diseases affecting the poultry industry worldwide [1]. In Uganda, colibacillosis is the most frequent bacterial infection among the chicken samples submitted to the Central Diagnostic Laboratory with a prevalence of 14% [2]. Majalija et al (2010) reported 87%…”