Carnivores as Vehicles for Ticks Carrying Disease Agents: A Possible Role of the Large-Spotted Genet, Genetta Tigrina, In the Epizootiology of East Coast Fever

Abstract

Captive genets were offered the ears of steers which had died of East Coast fever (E.c.F.), and on which nymphal Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were feeding. The genets fed on the ears and the ticks re-attached to the genets and completed their engorgement. After moulting, the resultant adult ticks were applied to a steer which had a typical fatal E.C.P. reaction.