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The status of tick infestation of livestock and tick control methods in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

J. P. O. Wamukoya
Affiliation:
Veterinary Services, Ministry of Livestock Development, Kilimo House, P. O. Box 34188, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

In Kenya, there are at least seven distinct tick-borne diseases (the ileriosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, heartwater, Nairobi sheep disease, sweating sickness and erhlichiosis in dogs). Theileriosis causes major economic losses arising from deaths of infected cattle.

Control of these diseases is almost exclusively by the application of chemical acaricides to cattle. Use of acaricides is regulated and only those passing field tests are permitted to be marketed in Kenya. Field trials on immunization against East Coast fever (ECF) by infection and treatment are still continuing. Chemotherapy treatment is also available but quite expensive.

The Veterinary Department continuously evaluates acaricides which have been documented to have activity against ticks. These acaricides have been grouped into four groups ranging from organophosphorus compounds in Group I to synthetic pyrethroids in Group IV. To-date Groups III and IV acaricides are kept as reserve, although amitraz in Group III can be used on a limited scale on privately owned farms.

Résumé

Il y a au Kenya au moins sept maladies transmettent par les tiques (cowdriosis, theileriosis, anaplasmose, babesiose, Nairobi sheep disease, erhlichiose canine). La theileriose cause des pertes économiques majeurs due à la mort du bétail infecté. Le contrôle des maladies est à peu près exclusivement fait par l'application des acaricides chimiques, sur le bétail. L'usage des acaricides est réglé et sauf les acaricides qui ont passé les tests sur le terrain sont authoriser d'être mis en vente au Kenya. Des essais sur le terrain sur l'immunisation contre la fièvre de la vallée du Rift (ECF) par infection et traitement sont toujours pour suivis. Le terrain ont chémiotherapique est aussi disponibles mais coûte relativement cher. Le service vétérinaire évalué d'une façon continue les acaricides ayant une activité, contre les tiques — les acaricides furent groupe dans 4 groupes allant des composées organo phosphore dans le groupe 1 au pyrethroids synthétiques dans le group IV. Jusqu' à ce jour, les acaricides de groupe III et IV sont réservés bien que amitrat appartenant au groupe III peuvent être utiliser à une échelle limitée dans des fermes privées.

Type
Field Situation Reports
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1992

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