The status of tick infestation of livestock and tick control methods in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, there are at least seven distinct tick-borne diseases (the ileriosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, heartwater, Nairobisheepdisease, sweating sickness and erhlichiosis in dogs). Theileriosis causes major economic losses arising from deaths of infected cattle. Control of these diseases is almost exclusively by the application of chemical acaricides to cattle. Use of acaricides is regulated and only those passing field tests are permitted to be marketed in Kenya. Field trials on immunization against East Coast fever (ECF) by infection and treatment are still continuing. Chemotherapy treatment is also available but quite expensive. The Veterinary Department continuously evaluates acaricides which have been documented to have activity against ticks. These acaricides have been grouped into four groups ranging from organophosphorus compounds in Group I to synthetic pyrethroids in Group IV. To-date Groups III and IV acaricides are kept as reserve, although amitraz in Group III can be used on a limited scale on privately owned farms.