The importance of wildlife in the epidemiology of Theileriosis
1981
Grootenhuis, J.G. (Veterinary Research Laboratories, Kabete (Kenya)) | Young, A.S. (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Kikuyu (Kenya). Veterinary Research Dept.)
It has been estimated in East Africa alone that half a million cattle die a year from East Coast Fever (ECF). The only control measure used for ECF at present is the application of acaricides at frequent intervals, which is very time consuming, expensive, and often not effective. Research on the control of ECF has recently been complicated by the realization that theileriosis of cattle is in fact caused by a collection of Theileria species acting individually or together. The buffalo as a carrier of T. lawrencei could prove to be an important source of antigenic material for the immunization of cattle. The majority of the 30 wild ruminants occurring in Kenya carry Theileria parasites. Some of these parasites are probably shared with domestic livestock. It is important for theileriosis control to identify these parasites and compare them with the Theileria parasite responsible for ECF.
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