The Epidemiology and Control of East Coast fever and other Vector-borne Diseases: Perceptions of the Pastoral Communities in Northern Rift Valley Province, Kenya

Abstract

A participatory epidemiological study was conducted among the Pokot and Tugen communities in Northern Rift Valley, Kenya, to assess the status of tick-borne infections and obtain livestock keepers' perceptions of how the diseases impact on livelihoods in pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems. In addition a serological survey wa scarried out to assess antibody prevalence of priority vector-borne diseases namely ECF, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis, as perceived by the livestock keepers and serum samples were collected from 190 animals of all age groups. Only calves over 4 months of age were sampled to avoid confusion with passively transferred colostral antibodies. Thick and thin blood smears were prepared from the marginal ear vein of all the animals bled. Lymph node biopsy smears were also collected from animals suspected to be sick based on symptoms of disease for microscopic examination. Whole body tick counts were carried out on cattle selected for sampling and tick samples were collected for identification and assessment of infection prevalence.