Indigenous pig management practices in rural villages of Western Kenya

The management of indigenous pigs in rural villages of Busia and Kakamega district, Western Kenya, is discussed. Data on husbandry practices, challenges and farmers knowledge on T. solium taeniosis / cysticercosis were gathered using questionnaires administered in face-to-face interviews. Pigs were examined for cysticercosis using the lingual palpation method. Data were managed in Stata®. Majority of the farmers were aged 30-50 years (44%), and were mostly women (69%). Years of pig keeping experience was higher in Kakamega (11.4±8.7) than it was in Busia (6.3±5.6) (P50%) during the planting (91%; 263 / 290), growing (90%; 263 / 290) and crop harvesting seasons (78%; 227 / 290). Prevalence of pig cysticercosis was 4.5%. Piglets were significantly cheaper in Busia (Ksh 509±57) than in Kakamega (Ksh 777±174) (P<0.05). Indigenous pig management in Western Kenya is reportedly poor. Improved knowledge coupled with changes in local husbandry practices would improve productivity, increase family incomes and safeguard the community from potential health risks associated with pig rearing

A community approach for pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in cats of sub-Saharan Africa

Background Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly studied in companion animals. Given their socioeconomic importance, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study. Methods In six countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Namibia) in both rural and urban settings, 160 infested cats were sampled to assess their ectoparasite community (ticks and fleas), as well as the micro-parasite prevalence within those ectoparasites (60 and 118 pools of ticks and fleas, respectively) and blood (276 cats, including 116 non-infested). Results Almost two thirds of all infested cats originated from Tanzania and Kenya. Despite the large macro-geographical variation, no consistent difference was found in ectoparasite diversity and numbers between East and West Africa. Far more flea-infested than tick-infested cats were found. The most dominant ectoparasite was Ctenocephalides felis. Among the ticks, the exophilic Haemaphysalis spp. were the commonest, including species that are not typically linked with companion animals (Haemaphysalis spinulosa and Haemaphysalis elliptica). The most prevalent pathogens found in the blood and fleas were Bartonella henselae and Mycoplasma haemofelis. In the ticks, the dog-associated Hepatozoon canis was most commonly found. A high degree of co-parasitism was found in all countries and habitats. Conclusions Our continent-wide standardized field study highlights the cat’s potential to serve as a reservoir of pathogens that can be transmitted to humans or livestock, especially when cats are expected to become more commonly kept in African villages and towns

The epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats in the low potential areas of Thika District, Kenya

EPIDEMIOLOGIE DES NEMATODES GASTRO-INTESTINAUX CHEZ LES CHEVRES DANS LES ZONES A FAIBLES POTENTIALITES DU DISTRICT DE THIKA Résumé La prévalence et l'intensité des infections par les nématodes gastro-intestinaux chez les chèvres dans quatre petites fermes (< 5ha avec moins de 30 chèvres) dans les zones à faibles potentialités du district de Thika au Kenya, ont fait l'objet d'études pendant un an. La prévalence et l'intensité des infections variaient selon les fermes et les conditions atmosphériques. Les différences relatives aux groupes d'âge étaient notables uniquement pendant la saison sèche lorsque le nombre d'oeufs de nématodes par gramme de fèces était plus élevé chez les chevreaux que chez les jeunes et les adultes. Le nombre d'oeufs de nématodes dans les fèces augmentait pendant les longues pluies (avril-juin) et durant les courtes et fortes pluies vers la fin de la période d'étude (novembre-février). Des traitements anthelminthiques ont été administrés à toutes les chèvres dans les fermes en fonction du nombre d'oeufs de nématodes dans les fèces. Quatre traitements ont été donnés pendant la saison des pluies et un traitement à la fin de la saison sèche en septembre, et il s'ensuivait une réduction du nombre d'oeufs de nématodes dans les fèces. Haemonchus contortus était le principal nématode recueilli des coprocultures. Il a été conclu que la prévalence et l'intensité des infections par les helminthes gastro-intestinaux chez les chèvres dans cette région variaient avec les saisons et que Haemonchus contortus était le principal nématode qui infectait les chèvres. Summary The prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats in four small scale farms (< 5ha each with less than 30 goats) in the low potential areas of Thika District, Kenya, was studied over a period of one year. The prevalence and intensity of infection varied with the farms and the weather conditions. The differences in the age groups were observed only during the dry season when the kids had higher eggs per gram of faeces (EPG's) than the young and the adults. There was a rise in faecal egg counts during the long rains (April - June) and during the heavy short rains experienced towards the end of the study period (November - February). Anthelmintic treatments were given to all the goats on the farms depending on the level of the faecal egg counts. Four treatments were given during the rainy season (months) and one at the end of the dry season in September. These treatments were followed by reduced faecal egg counts. Haemonchus contortus was the main nematode recovered from coprocultures. It was concluded that the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal helminth infection in goats in this area varied with seasons and that H. contortus was the main nematode infecting the goats. Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (2004) 53,5-1

Seroprevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae and associated risk factors in free-range pigs in Kenya

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

Risk factors associated with occurrence of nematodes in free range pigs in Busia District, Kenya

Nematode infections are a serious constraint to pig production, especially where free range pig keeping is practiced. This study investigated the epidemiology of nematodes in free range pigs in Busia District, Kenya. Three hundred and six pigs from 135 farms were sampled for faeces that were analysed for nematode eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces using the McMaster technique. The nematode eggs were also identified to genus and species based on morphology. A questionnaire on risk factors was also administered to the pig owners. The overall prevalence and mean nematode EPG were 84.2% and 2,355, respectively. The nematode eggs were identified as those belonging to Oesophagostomum spp. (75%), Strongyloides ransomi (37%), Ascaris suum (18%), Metastrongylus spp. (11%), Trichuris suis (7%) and Physocephalus sexalatus (3%). The prevalence of nematodes was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the amount of rainfall in the division of the pigs' origin (all nematodes except S. ransomi). The prevalence of nematodes was also associated with the age of the pigs. A lower burden of nematodes was associated (p < 0.05) with a history of deworming (A. suum) and the provision of night housing (S. ransomi and Metastrongylus spp.). In conclusion, this study has provided information on nematode infections and the associated risk factors for free range pigs in Busia District, which can be used when implementing integrated control measures

Characteristics of pig trade in low income settings in Busia District, Kenya

The characteristics of markets for free-range pigs in Busia District, Kenya were determined using retrospective analysis of veterinary records, key informant interviews and questionnaire survey. A total of 8,377 pigs were slaughtered between 2001 and 2005, which accounted for 27% of all the livestock slaughtered and inspected by the government officers. Loss of fetuses was recorded for 13% of slaughtered pigs and the loss was attributed to ignorance on pregnancy diagnosis. Although most of the money (82%) generated by the veterinary department arose from meat inspection fees, constraints including limited personnel and lack of enough vehicles were observed. The marketing system comprised of farmers, middlemen, slaughter-slab owners and butchers, while the government played the role of meat inspection. Majority of the butchers were males (94%) with a mean age of 39 (range: 21-74) years. The majority (63%) had a primary school level of education. The average net income per annum for each butcher was 887 USD and the profit earned per pig was 3.8 USD. The major constraints which affected the butchery business included conflicts with regulatory authorities, high government levies, erratic number of slaughter pigs mainly due to African Swine Fever (ASF) and poor mode of transportation. There is a need to address these constraints especially the control of ASF, reduction in levies and provision of incentives to improve pig trade in Busia District