The incidence of calf morbidity and mortality due to vector-borne infections in smallholder dairy farms in Kwale District, Kenya

Muraguri, G.R.; McLeod, A.; McDermott, John J.; Taylor, Nick

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.11.026

Cited by 32 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…There is evidence that noncyclically transmitted T. vivax infection has been detected in other tsetse-free areas in Africa (Roeder et al, 1984). With a disease prevalence rate of 33.9%, bovine trypanosomosis is seen to be a constraint to development in the region; this is supported by earlier research findings (Ohaga et al, 2007) who found a prevalence of 25% in the County and also (Murilla et al, 1998;Mugunieri and Murilla, 2003;Muraguri et al, 2005). However, earlier reports also indicate that the disease is only important to few farmers (11.3%) in Kwale County (Machila et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Parasitological Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Kubo Division of Kwale County of Coastal: Baseline Survey

Mbahin¹

2013

American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

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Prior to field trials of large scale tsetse repellent technology validation in July 2011, a cross-sectional survey of bovine trypanosomosis and its vectors was carried out to know the disease level in Kwale County of Coastal Kenya. A total of 584 adult cattle were examined at ten different Locations. The trypanosome prevalence in cattle with regard to age, sex, location and apparent tsetse density was investigated. The overall trypanosome prevalence in cattle in Kubo Division of Kwale County was 33.9%. Two types of infections were recorded in various parts of the Division in the following proportions: T. congolense 61.1%, T. vivax 38.9%. Findings from this study indicated that the Location dependent trypanosome prevalence can be stratified in three main levels: high (Mkongani 16.7%); very high in (Kizibe 25%, Zunguluka 25.5% and Mangawani 26.7%) and extremely high in (Katangini 32.2%, Mkanda 34.4%, Msulwa 42.4%, Mawia 46.4% and Kidongo 52.5%). The mean apparent density for G. pallidipes was 30 flies/trap/day while that of G. austeni 0.8 flies/trap/day and G. brevipalpis was 0.4 flies/trap/day. There was a positive and significant correlation (p<0.05, r = 0.82) between the trypanosome prevalence and tsetse apparent density. In view of the risk of trypanosomosis, the Division was selected for the large scale field trials of the new tsetse repellent technology validation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Parasitological Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Kubo Division of Kwale County of Coastal: Baseline Survey

Mbahin¹

2013

American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

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“…The review by Otte and Chilonda focussing on the production parameters among cattle raised under different agro-ecological zones and production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa reported an overall calf mortality risk of 21.7 percent in traditional smallholder mixed production systems [27]. Among exotic and cross-bred animals in Sub-Sahara Africa, the overall mortality rates are usually higher than those observed in zebus, with some studies reporting rates as high as 35% [1,4,28]. From these studies it is evident that although zebu cattle have relatively lower mortality compared to exotics and cross-bred animals, calf mortality is still high and a possible significant impediment to improved livestock production.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within smallholder production systems, some studies report pneumonias, digestive tract disorders including non-parasitic diarrhoeas, bloat [1,5,29,30], and tick-borne diseases (TBD) [4,6,31] as the major causes of mortality. Although the current study covered a region within a 45 km radius semicircle from Kenya-Uganda border, differences in mortality rates and patterns between study sub-locations were evident.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies in East Africa have pointed to multifactorial causes of calf mortality within smallholder systems, mainly related to maternal factors including genetics and mothering abilities, farm management practices, and to infectious agents [1,4-6]. A systematic literature review on causes of morbidity and mortality among smallholder dairy farms in Eastern and South Africa identified tick-borne diseases, diarrhoea and trypanosomiasis as the most commonly documented causes of mortality [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mortality in East African shorthorn zebu cattle under one year: predictors of infectious-disease mortality

et al. 2013

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BackgroundInfectious livestock diseases remain a major threat to attaining food security and are a source of economic and livelihood losses for people dependent on livestock for their livelihood. Knowledge of the vital infectious diseases that account for the majority of deaths is crucial in determining disease control strategies and in the allocation of limited funds available for disease control. Here we have estimated the mortality rates in zebu cattle raised in a smallholder mixed farming system during their first year of life, identified the periods of increased risk of death and the risk factors for calf mortality, and through analysis of post-mortem data, determined the aetiologies of calf mortality in this population. A longitudinal cohort study of 548 zebu cattle was conducted between 2007 and 2010. Each calf was followed during its first year of life or until lost from the study. Calves were randomly selected from 20 sub-locations and recruited within a week of birth from different farms over a 45 km radius area centered on Busia in the Western part of Kenya. The data comprised of 481.1 calf years of observation. Clinical examinations, sample collection and analysis were carried out at 5 week intervals, from birth until one year old. Cox proportional hazard models with frailty terms were used for the statistical analysis of risk factors. A standardized post-mortem examination was conducted on all animals that died during the study and appropriate samples collected.ResultsThe all-cause mortality rate was estimated at 16.1 (13.0-19.2; 95% CI) per 100 calf years at risk. The Cox models identified high infection intensity with Theileria spp., the most lethal of which causes East Coast Fever disease, infection with Trypanosome spp., and helminth infections as measured by Strongyle spp. eggs per gram of faeces as the three important infections statistically associated with infectious disease mortality in these calves. Analysis of post-mortem data identified East Coast Fever as the main cause of death accounting for 40% of all deaths, haemonchosis 12% and heartwater disease 7%.ConclusionThe findings demonstrate the impact of endemic parasitic diseases in indigenous animals expected to be well adapted against disease pressures. Additionally, agreement between results of Cox models using data from simple diagnostic procedures and results from post-mortem analysis underline the potential use such diagnostic data to reduce calf mortality. The control strategies for the identified infectious diseases have been discussed.

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“…Whereas about 28 million cattle are at risk in the region, the costs of tick control using acaricides was estimated to range between US $6 and US $36 per adult animal in east Africa (Minjauw and McLeod 2003). In Kenya, T. parva infection is considered a major constraint to improved livestock production (Gitau et al 1999(Gitau et al , 2010Maloo et al 2001;Muraguri et al 2005;Okuthe and Buyu 2006;Chenyambuga et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environment and farm factors associated with exposure to Theileria parva infection in cattle under traditional mixed farming system in Mbeere District, Kenya

Gachohi

Kitala

Ngumi

et al. 2010

Trop Anim Health Prod

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The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between seroprevalence to Theileria parva infection in cattle and potential environmental and farm-level effects in 80 farms under traditional crop-livestock system in Mbeere District, Kenya. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the effects characteristics as related to T. parva infection epidemiology. Serum samples were collected from 440 cattle of all ages for detection of T. parva antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The association between the variables was assessed using a generalized estimation equation logistic regression model. The overall T. parva seroprevalence, accounting for correlation of responses, was 19.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 14%, 25%). Two variables, "administrative division" and "presence of the vector tick on the farm", were significantly associated with the T. parva seroresponse. Respectively, cattle from farms in Gachoka, Evurore, and Mwea divisions were (and their 95% CI) 1.3 (0.36, 4.8), 4.4 (1.2, 15.9), and 15.2 (4.9, 47.1) times more likely to be seropositive relative to those from Siakago Division (P = 0.000). Cattle from farms in which the vector tick was present were 2.9 (1.2, 6.7) times more likely to be seropositive (P = 0.011). Results of this study suggested that both environmental and farm factors may be associated with T. parva infection epidemiology in Mbeere District. Under such circumstances, characterization of environmental suitability for the vector tick and corresponding environment-specific farm management practices in the district is required both for improved understanding of the disease and in planning disease control programs.

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The incidence of calf morbidity and mortality due to vector-borne infections in smallholder dairy farms in Kwale District, Kenya

Cited by 32 publications

References 11 publications

Parasitological Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Kubo Division of Kwale County of Coastal: Baseline Survey

Parasitological Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Kubo Division of Kwale County of Coastal: Baseline Survey

Mortality in East African shorthorn zebu cattle under one year: predictors of infectious-disease mortality

Environment and farm factors associated with exposure to Theileria parva infection in cattle under traditional mixed farming system in Mbeere District, Kenya

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