Cows drinking water at a watering point at emkong borehole in kerio valley, Elgeyo Marakwet. [Christopher Kipsang,Standard]
We are just from a devastating drought that has left thousands of livestock dead resulting in losses, pain and misery for farmers. But now things are looking up with the onset of rains in most parts of the country. As the vegetation grows, the remaining animals are slowly bouncing back to life. However, even with the rains, livestock farmers need to be extra vigilant to protect their animals from a range of potential health threats. During the rainy season, there is a high risk of parasitic infections such as worms, ticks, lice, and mites affecting livestock. Of these the most lethal are ticks and worms. Today I will focus on ticks.
Tick eggs that were on the ground hatch at the onset of rains. They are notorious for transmitting various diseases that can cause severe health problems and economic losses to farmers. Here are the most common tick-borne diseases in Kenya, their causes, symptoms, and remedies.
- East Coast fever (ECF)
East Coast fever is a deadly disease caused by the protozoan parasite Theileria parva. It is transmitted by the brown ear tick and kills over one million cattle in East Africa annually. The symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, depression, laboured breathing, and rapid pulse. In severe cases, the affected animals die within a few days. The remedy for ECF is regular use of acaricides to control tick infestation, vaccination, and treatment with anti-protozoal drugs.
- Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by rickesttsia organisms Anaplasma marginale, which is transmitted by the brown dog tick. It affects cattle, sheep, and goats and causes symptoms such as fever, anemia, weakness, and jaundice. In severe cases, the infected animals may suffer from a lack of coordination, collapse, and death. The treatment for anaplasmosis involves the use of antibiotics and iron supplementation.
- Babesiosis
Babesiosis is a protozoan disease caused by Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina, which are transmitted by the brown ear tick and the red-legged tick. It affects cattle, causing symptoms such as fever, anaemia, jaundice, weakness, and blood in the urine. In severe cases, the infected animals may suffer from convulsions and death. The treatment involves the use of anti-protozoal drugs and supportive therapy.
- Heartwater
Heartwater is a bacterial disease caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium, which is transmitted by the bont tick. It affects cattle, sheep, and goats and causes symptoms such as fever, anemia, nervous signs, and rapid breathing. In severe cases, the infected animals may suffer from paralysis and death. The treatment for heartwater involves the use of anti-bacterial drugs such as oxytetracycline and doxycycline, and supportive therapy such as fluid therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Tick paralysis
Tick paralysis is a neurotoxic disease caused by the saliva of certain ticks. It affects cattle, sheep, and goats and causes symptoms such as weakness, tremors, impaired balance or coordination, and paralysis. In severe cases, the infected animals may suffer from respiratory failure and death. Treatment involves removal of the ticks, supportive therapy such as fluid therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs, and anti-toxin therapy.
