Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya

Tick-borne diseases are considered a major constraint to dairy farming among the smallholder dairy farms in Kenya, which account for an estimated 75-90% of all milk produced in the country. The most important tick-borne disease in Kenya is East Coast fever (ECF) caused by Theileria parva and transmi...

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Main Authors: Gitau, G.K., McDermott, John J., Katende, J.M., O'Callaghan, C.J., Perry, Brian D.
Format: Conference Paper
Language:Inglés
Published: International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics 2000
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/50387
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author Gitau, G.K.
McDermott, John J.
Katende, J.M.
O'Callaghan, C.J.
Perry, Brian D.
author_browse Gitau, G.K.
Katende, J.M.
McDermott, John J.
O'Callaghan, C.J.
Perry, Brian D.
author_facet Gitau, G.K.
McDermott, John J.
Katende, J.M.
O'Callaghan, C.J.
Perry, Brian D.
author_sort Gitau, G.K.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Tick-borne diseases are considered a major constraint to dairy farming among the smallholder dairy farms in Kenya, which account for an estimated 75-90% of all milk produced in the country. The most important tick-borne disease in Kenya is East Coast fever (ECF) caused by Theileria parva and transmitted by the brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, which has been associated with high mortality in cattle, especially among the exotic breeds of cattle. In Kenya, there is considerable recent evidence that the prevalence of T. parva infections and Reported ECF morbidity, mortality and case-fatality can vary significantly by agro-ecological zone and grazing system. These differences have important implications for both the impact and control of ECF. A paradigm for evaluating production systems for theileriosis based on the epidemiological states i.e. degree of endemic stability or instability has been developed. In endemically stable systems, there is an equilibrium between Theileria parasites and hosts so that ECF impact is minimal despite high infection challenge. In unstable situations, ECF impact can be considerable, either through direct losses from ECF or in costs associated with its control. The prevalence, sero-conversion risk and morbidity/mortality risks of ECF for female calves up to 6 months of age in 5 contrasting agro-ecological zone (AEZ)-grazing system strata in Murang a District, Kenya has been previously described. This paper uses the indicators of theileriosis infection quantified in that study to characterise the epidemiological states of ECF in the 5 AEZ-grazing strata studied in Muranga District, Kenya.
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spelling CGSpace503872023-02-15T09:41:31Z Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya Gitau, G.K. McDermott, John J. Katende, J.M. O'Callaghan, C.J. Perry, Brian D. east coast fever epidemiology ecosystem agroclimatic zones small farms dairy industry highlands grazing Tick-borne diseases are considered a major constraint to dairy farming among the smallholder dairy farms in Kenya, which account for an estimated 75-90% of all milk produced in the country. The most important tick-borne disease in Kenya is East Coast fever (ECF) caused by Theileria parva and transmitted by the brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, which has been associated with high mortality in cattle, especially among the exotic breeds of cattle. In Kenya, there is considerable recent evidence that the prevalence of T. parva infections and Reported ECF morbidity, mortality and case-fatality can vary significantly by agro-ecological zone and grazing system. These differences have important implications for both the impact and control of ECF. A paradigm for evaluating production systems for theileriosis based on the epidemiological states i.e. degree of endemic stability or instability has been developed. In endemically stable systems, there is an equilibrium between Theileria parasites and hosts so that ECF impact is minimal despite high infection challenge. In unstable situations, ECF impact can be considerable, either through direct losses from ECF or in costs associated with its control. The prevalence, sero-conversion risk and morbidity/mortality risks of ECF for female calves up to 6 months of age in 5 contrasting agro-ecological zone (AEZ)-grazing system strata in Murang a District, Kenya has been previously described. This paper uses the indicators of theileriosis infection quantified in that study to characterise the epidemiological states of ECF in the 5 AEZ-grazing strata studied in Muranga District, Kenya. 2000 2014-10-31T06:09:09Z 2014-10-31T06:09:09Z Conference Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/50387 en Limited Access International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics
spellingShingle east coast fever
epidemiology
ecosystem
agroclimatic zones
small farms
dairy industry
highlands
grazing
Gitau, G.K.
McDermott, John J.
Katende, J.M.
O'Callaghan, C.J.
Perry, Brian D.
Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya
title Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya
title_full Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya
title_fullStr Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya
title_short Differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro-ecological and grazing strata of highland Kenya
title_sort differences in the epidemiology of theileriosis on smallholder dairy farms in contrasting agro ecological and grazing strata of highland kenya
topic east coast fever
epidemiology
ecosystem
agroclimatic zones
small farms
dairy industry
highlands
grazing
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/50387
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