RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rabies is a serious neglected disease which occurs worldwide. In urban areas, the control of the diseaseis expected to be hampered by several unique constraints. OBJECTIVE: To appraise the occurrence and control of rabies. STUDY DESIGN: The tools used in the study included key informant interviews with senior veterinary and medical officers and a questionnaire survey on 15 veterinary officers and 9 human physicians. The occurrence of animal bites and costs involved in treatment was also investigated using retrospective hospital data for the year 2007. SETTING: Kisumu Municipality, Kenya. RESULTS: The control of rabies was under the Veterinary Department through dog vaccinations and baiting, and also under the Department of Public Health (DPH) through people vaccinations and post exposure treatments. The constraints observed were poor coordination in rabies control efforts, understaffing and limited resources. Animal bites were common with 1270 cases reported during 2007. The post-bite rabies vaccines were mainly purchased from local chemists at KES 7,500 per full dose. This amounted to an annual total cost of KES 9,525,000 (136,071 USD). The bites were mainly from domestic dogs (89%) and occurred commonly in highly populated areas. The mean age of people with bites was 21 (2.5 - 78) years, showing that young people had a higher risk. Males (59%) were at higher risk of bites than females (41%). CONCLUSIONS: It would be important for the relevant departments to harmonise their rabies control strategies and also address the prevalent constraints by using local networks. The incidence of rabies and the associated epidemiology needs proper updated documentation with a view of carrying out mass vaccination of dogs at times free of cost to the economically disadvantaged owners.
Asunto(s)
Mordeduras y Picaduras/epidemiología , Perros , Vacunas Antirrábicas/administración & dosificación , Rabia/epidemiología , Rabia/prevención & control , Población Urbana/estadística & datos numéricos , Vacunación/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Animales , Mordeduras y Picaduras/economía , Mordeduras y Picaduras/terapia , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Incidencia , Kenia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mascotas , Prevalencia , Rabia/economía , Rabia/transmisión , Vacunas Antirrábicas/economía , Factores de Riesgo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Vacunación/economíaRESUMEN
Porcine cysticercosis is an emerging zoonosis with public health and economic importance. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate the disease in free-range pigs on 182 smallholder farms in Busia District, Kenya. The survey households were selected using a snowballing technique. Serum samples were obtained from 284 pigs of all ages at farm level and 37 pigs from slaughter slabs in the study area. The samples were analysed for the presence of cysticercus antigen using an antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A structured questionnaire was administered to determine the risk factors for porcine cysticercosis on the study farms. At pig level, the total number of pigs testing positive were 11, resulting in a seroprevalence of 4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-6.2%), while the farms with a positive pig were 9% (95% CI: 3.9-14.1%). All pigs examined in the slaughter slab survey were seronegative. The distribution of possible risk factors for porcine cysticercosis that were observed at farm level was as follows: free-range pig keeping (100%), history of human taeniosis infection in a family (51%), slaughtering of pigs at home (20%), lack of meat inspection (15%) and absence of latrines (15%). The only significant (χ2 = 4.4, P = 0.034, odds ratio (OR) = 3.8) risk factor associated with the occurrence of cysticercosis was lack of latrines at household level. The study shows that porcine cysticercosis is prevalent in free-range pigs in Busia District, Kenya and thus control measures need to be instituted.
Asunto(s)
Antígenos Helmínticos/sangre , Cisticercosis/veterinaria , Cysticercus/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Crianza de Animales Domésticos/métodos , Animales , Cisticercosis/epidemiología , Cisticercosis/parasitología , Cysticercus/clasificación , Cysticercus/inmunología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Humanos , Kenia/epidemiología , Salud Pública , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/inmunología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Cuartos de BañoRESUMEN
To characterise the urban livestock keeping practices and constraints in Kisumu municipality, Kenya, a questionnaire survey was carried out. Thirty-four contact farmers were interviewed on general farm characteristics and production constraints. The farming activities were categorised as either livestock only (41%), or mixed crops and livestock (59%). The surveyed farmers kept mainly cattle (100%), chickens (82%) and goats (74%). Most (94%) of the farmers had kept livestock for prolonged periods mainly for income generation (97%) and domestic consumption (59%). These data show that livestock keeping was popular and could be harnessed to increase food security, although the farmers kept mainly low-producing indigenous cattle (98%) which were grazed on unutilised land. The main production constraints mentioned by farmers included diseases (100%), poor fertility (68%) and lack of feed (56%). The diseases varied with species of ruminants and included lumpy skin disease (71%), diarrhoea (65%) and helminthosis (62%). The source of advice on management and treatment of the livestock was almost equally from private and government veterinary personnel. To improve livestock productivity, it is recommended that key stakeholders address the constraints mentioned in this study and in particular that the occurrence of diseases should be investigated with a view to developing sustainable control strategies.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Animales/prevención & control , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Ganado , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Animales , Productos Agrícolas , Recolección de Datos , Femenino , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Kenia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Población UrbanaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of risk factors amongst farmers keeping livestock in Kisumu municipality, Kenya. METHODS: Thirty four contact house-holds involved in livestock keeping constituted the study group. The head of the household was interviewed using a structured questionnaire relating to public health issues affecting water, food and sanitation RESULTS: The water consumed at the household level originated from the taps (56%), bore holes (18%), local rivers (15%) and wells (15%). The wells were shallow and open to contamination. Fourty one percent (41%) of the households consumed water without boiling or any other form of treatment. Farmers had a history of slaughtering cattle (79%) and pigs (66%) at their homes and these animals were not inspected by legalized government officers. During the last five years, porcine cysticercosis and taeniosis (9%) were reported to occur amongst the homesteads. Although toilets were found in most homes, some were overflowing (27%), while children below 4 years (mean) of age defaecated in the bushes/grass within the neighbourhood. Most farmers (62%) disposed the manure next to the animal boma resulting in creation of small manure 'hills' that were a nuisance and breeding ground for vector flies. Other risk factors for disease transmission included consumption of unwashed raw food (48%), dried raw fish (21%) and failure to wash cows' udder before milking (29%). CONCLUSION: The study shows that risk factors for transmission of zoonoses are common in house holds keeping livestock in the study area and highlights the need for public health education to raise awareness of these factors. Further studies should be conducted to determine the possibilities of zoonoses occurrences among the human population.
Asunto(s)
Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Ganado , Zoonosis/epidemiología , Animales , Recolección de Datos , Composición Familiar , Humanos , Higiene , Entrevistas como Asunto , Kenia/epidemiología , Salud Pública , Factores de Riesgo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Abastecimiento de AguaRESUMEN
The effects of anthelmintics treatments in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in breeding ewes in a semi-arid area of Kenya were determined. The study carried out during two breeding seasons, between June 2000 and December 2001 where albendazole was administered to groups of ewes, 2 weeks before mating, 3 weeks to lambing and mid lactation indicated significantly lower nematode egg counts in treated than untreated groups of ewes. In the first breeding season, reduced rainfall resulted in pasture scarcity and weight loss in both groups of ewes through out the gestation period, but losses were higher for the untreated group. In the second season, both groups of ewes showed a steady increase in weight gain during the gestation period and post-partum, but weight gains were higher in the treated group. In lambs, weight gains at 6 weeks were higher for treated ewes than control groups, in both breeding seasons. The results of this trial indicate that anthelmintic treatments in breeding ewes in the study area are beneficial in reducing gastrointestinal nematode infections and improving performance of the ewes and their lambs. In addition to the treatments, breeding ewes should be given feed supplementation particularly during periods of pasture scarcity.
Asunto(s)
Antihelmínticos/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/veterinaria , Nematodos/efectos de los fármacos , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Antihelmínticos/farmacología , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/parasitología , Kenia , Ovinos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
An investigation was carried out to assess the effects of weather on the occurrence and magnitude of the periparturient rise (PPR) in trichostrongylid nematode egg output in breeding Dorper ewes. The study was conducted over three breeding seasons on a ranch in the semi-arid area of Kajiado District in Kenya between June 1999 and December 2001. During each breeding season 20 ewes randomly selected from the breeding stock and 20 others selected from the unmated yearlings were monitored for faecal strongyle egg counts every 3 weeks. The lambing seasons were timed to coincide with the onset of the short rains (October-November 1999), the mid-short rains (November-December 2000) and the end of the dry season (September-October 2001). In each season higher egg outputs were recorded in the peri-parturient ewes compared to the unmated yearlings. The highest PPR occurred in September 2001, when lambing coincided with the end of the dry season, possibly as a result of maturation of hypobiotic larvae. The lowest PPR occurred in November 2000 when the onset of lambing coincided with the mid-short rains, possibly owing to low pasture infectivity associated with a long dry spell between January and October of the same year. The results of this study indicate that PPR occurred when lambing coincided with both the wet and the dry seasons. However, the magnitude was greatly influenced by the season when lambing occurred. It was also influenced by resumption of development of hypobiotic larvae and the nutritional status of the ewes. Not only should control of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in this area aim at preventing the occurrence of PPR by treating ewes 2-3 weeks before they are to lamb and during lactation, but the anthelmintic used must also eliminate hypobiotic larvae. In addition, the animals must be given supplementary feeding during this period.
Asunto(s)
Estado Nutricional , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinaria , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/veterinaria , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/epidemiología , Trichostrongyloidea/crecimiento & desarrollo , Tricostrongiloidiasis/veterinaria , Animales , Antihelmínticos , Cruzamiento , Heces/parasitología , Femenino , Incidencia , Kenia , Parto , Embarazo , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/epidemiología , Lluvia , Distribución Aleatoria , Estaciones del Año , Ovinos , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Tricostrongiloidiasis/epidemiología , Tricostrongiloidiasis/parasitología , Tiempo (Meteorología)RESUMEN
A survey on the prevalence and intensity of infection with gastrointestinal helminths of Dorper sheep in relation to age and weather factors was carried out on a ranch in Kajiado district, a semi-arid area of Kenya for a period of 13 months (May 1999 to May 2000). Faecal samples from lambs (3 months to 1 year), yearlings (1-2 years) and adult breeding ewes (2-4 years) were examined for helminth egg output and helminth genus composition at 3-week intervals. The results indicated that the prevalence of strongyle and tapeworms infections were highest for lambs, followed by the adult breeding ewes and then for the yearlings. In all age groups the proportions of infected animals were higher during the wet season than in the dry season for both nematodes and tapeworms. The mean strongyle egg counts were higher during the dry season for lambs, but were higher during the wet season for the other age groups. Mixed strongyle infections were detected, with Trichostrongylus (55 %), Haemonchus (28 %), Cooperia (10.5 %) and Oesophagostomum (6.5 %) being the most frequently encountered genera throughout the study period. The trends in strongyle faecal egg counts indicated the occurrence of hypobiosis, with resumption of development towards the end of the dry season and at the onset of the short rains in October and November. Self-cure was also observed in September and November in all age groups, although less frequently in lactating ewes. The prevalence and intensities of infection with gastrointestinal helminths in this area appeared to be influenced by the age of the host and weather factors.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/veterinaria , Helmintiasis Animal/epidemiología , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/epidemiología , Factores de Edad , Animales , Heces/parasitología , Femenino , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/parasitología , Kenia/epidemiología , Masculino , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinaria , Prevalencia , Lluvia , Estaciones del Año , OvinosRESUMEN
An investigation on the occurrence of peri-parturient rise in trichostrongylid nematode egg output in breeding ewes was carried out on a Ranch in the semi-arid area of Kajiado District in Kenya during the period May 1999-April 2000. During the study, 20 ewes randomly selected from the breeding stock and 20 un-mated female yearlings were monitored for faecal strongyle egg output every 3 weeks. A significant peri-parturient rise in faecal egg output occurred at around the time of lambing and throughout the lactation period in the mated ewes, but not in the un-mated yearlings. The occurrence of peri-parturient rise in breeding ewes towards the end of the dry season and at the onset of the short rains was enhanced by the resumption of development of hypobiotic larvae. Self-cure occurred in the un-mated yearlings in September 1999 during the dry season and in November-December 1999 during the wet season, but was less obvious in the pregnant and lactating ewes. The peri-parturient ewes contributed to higher pasture contamination at a time when highly susceptible lambs were grazing alongside. Therefore, the control of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in ewes in this area should aim at reducing the effects of this phenomenon through treatment of ewes about 2-3 weeks to lambing and during lactation.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Nematodos/veterinaria , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinaria , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/veterinaria , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Trichostrongyloidea/aislamiento & purificación , Albendazol/uso terapéutico , Animales , Antihelmínticos/uso terapéutico , Heces/parasitología , Femenino , Kenia/epidemiología , Lactancia , Infecciones por Nematodos/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Nematodos/epidemiología , Parto , Embarazo , Complicaciones Parasitarias del Embarazo/epidemiología , Lluvia , Estaciones del Año , Ovinos , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
A study was carried out on a ranch in the semi-arid area of Kajiado District in Kenya during the period July 2000 to June 2001 to determine the seasonal patterns of development and survival of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep on pastures. A series of plots were contaminated with sheep faeces every month and pasture samples were collected weekly for the recovery and identification of larvae. The availability of infective larvae on naturally contaminated pastures was also monitored on the paddocks grazed by sheep and around the night pen and the watering point every month from July 2000 to June 2001. The results from the examination of the pasture samples indicated that rainfall distribution was the major factor governing the development and survival of the pre-parasitic stages. No parasitic larvae were detected from the plots contaminated during the dry months from July to October 2000, but development and translocation of infective larvae on pastures occurred on plots contaminated during the rainy seasons and soon after when relatively high moisture was present in the herbage (November 2000 to June 2001). During this period, peak larval counts occurred between the first and the second week post contamination, then declined to undetectable levels between week 4 and 16 post contamination. The lack of development of infective larvae during the dry season and the relatively rapid decline of their population during the wet season presents an opportunity for the use of pasture spelling as a means of helminth control in the study area. The availability of infective larvae on naturally contaminated pastures, around the night pen and around the watering point also followed the rainfall distribution pattern. Infective larvae were consistently recovered around the watering point throughout the study period. This indicated that the point is an important source of infection for sheep, especially during the dry season when other pastures are non-infective.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/veterinaria , Nematodos/fisiología , Infecciones por Nematodos/veterinaria , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Ambiente , Heces/parasitología , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/parasitología , Kenia , Larva/fisiología , Infecciones por Nematodos/parasitología , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinaria , Lluvia , Estaciones del Año , Ovinos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Four Theileria parva isolates from Muguga area of Kiambu district, Kenya, were used to establish schizont-infected cell lines. Their protein antigens were then separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS page). The isolates were subsequently subjected to protein analysis and characterisation by the western immunoblotting technique. Probing for the polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM) was done using monoclonal antibody no. 4. SDS page detected up to 20 protein antigens of molecular mass 35,000-180,000 Da. The western blot analysis revealed a greater heterogeneity in the molecular mass (M(r)) of PIM than previously thought. The M(r) of PIM varied between 80 and 90 kDa. The isolates further revealed different densities of surface epitopes with variable reaction to the monoclonal antibody. The implications of these findings to the epidemiology of east coast fever and immunisation programmes are discussed.