Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Disease incidence in ranch and pastoral livestock herds around Lake Mburo National Park, in South Western Uganda

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A longitudinal study was done to monitor incidence of livestock diseases in ranch and pastoral herds around Lake Mburo National Park, in South-western Uganda with a high level of wildlife (impala and zebra) and livestock (cattle and goats) interactions. East Coast Fever (ECF), abortions, helminthosis and starvation due to drought were major livestock disease problems encountered. ECF was a major disease affecting mainly calves, causing mortality both in ranch (8.5%) and pastoral (8.2%) herds. Meanwhile, drought was a more serious in pastoral than ranch herds (p < 0.05), killing 28.5 % and 5.8% of adult female cattle in respective production systems. Other endemic diseases found and controlled by vaccination were FMD, CBPP and blackquarter. In both cattle and goats helminthosis was causing mortalities, 3.3% and 0.8% among calves in pastoral and ranches respectively; and 4.8% and 6.9% among kids and sub-adult goats respectively. Many cases of abortions occurred among pastoral herds. In conclusion, the disease incidence among livestock was the same or relatively low as compared to other areas without wildlife.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ARS:

Ankole Ranching Scheme

CBPP:

Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia

DCBR:

Dairy Cross Breeding Ranch

ECF:

East Coast Fever

FMD:

Foot and Mouth Disease

ha:

Hectare

LMA:

Lake Mburo Area

LMNP:

Lake Mburo National Park

TBDs:

Tick-Borne Diseases

References

  • Behnke, R.H. and Kerven, C., 1995. Redesigning for risk: tracking and buffering environmental variability in Africa’s rangelands. In: R.T. Wilson, S. Ehui and S. Mack (eds.), Livestock development strategies for low income countries. Proceedings of a joint FAO/ILRI roundtable on strategies for low-income countries. ILRI, Addis Ababa, 27th February — 2nd March, 1995. FAO, Rome, Italy and ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya. 87–92.

  • Bourn, D. and Blench, R.M., 1999. Livestock, wildlife and people in semi–arid rangelands of Eastern Africa, ODI and ERGO, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, C., Blench, R.M., Bourn, D., Drake, L. and Stevenson, P., 1999. Reconciling interest among wildlife, livestock and people in Eastern Africa: A sustainable livelihood approach. ODI Natural Resource Perspectives number 45, Overseas Development Institute, Portland Hous, Stag Place London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Child, G., 1996. The practice and principles of community based wildlife management in Zimbabwe: The CAMPFIRE programme. Biodiversity and Conservation, 5, 369–398. doi:10.1007/BF00051780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, J. and Bennet, R., 2007. Livelihood adaptation to risk: constraints and opportunities for pastoral development in Ethiopia’s Afar region. Journal of Development Studies, 433, 490–511. doi:10.1080/00220380701204422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Leeuw, P.N, Bekure, S. and Grandin, B.E., 1984. Kenyan range land programme ILCA No.19, July 1984, Nairobi Kenya.

  • Dohoo, I., Martin, W. and Stryhn, H., 2003. Veterinary Epidemiologic Research, AVC Inc., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foran, B. and Stafford-Smith, M., 1991. Risk, biology and drought management strategies for cattle stations in central Australia. Journal of Environmental Management, 33, 17–33. doi:10.1016/S0301-4797(05)80045-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gitau, G.K., Perry, B.D. and McDermott, J.J., 1999. The incidence, calf morbidity and mortality due to Theileria parva infections in small dairy farms in Murang’a District, Kenya. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 39, 65–79. doi:10.1016/S0167-5877(98)00137-8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grindle, R.J., 1981. Economic Losses from East Coast Fever in Malawi. In: A.D. Irvin, M.P. Cunningham and A.S. Young (eds.), Advances of control of theleriosis. Proceedings of an International Conference held at ILRAD, Nairobi 9th–13th February 1981. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 408–411.

  • Hanks, J., 1996. Opening address of the South African Wildlife Management Association Conference on Sustainable Use of Wildlife 9–11 April 1996. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 264, 100–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homewood, K., Trench, P., Randall, S., Lynen, G. and Bishop, B., 2006. Livestock health and socio-economic impacts of veterinary interventions in Masailand: Infection and treatment vaccine against East Coast fever. Agricultural Systems, 89, 248–271. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2005.09.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopcraft, D., 1995. Wildlife land use a realistic alternative. In: S. MacMillan (ed.), Wildlife and livestock interfaces on rangelands. Proceedings of the Conference held at Taita Hills Lodge, Kenya, April 22–25, 93–101.

  • Kariuki, K.G., Tadingar, T. and Farah, O.K. 1996. Socio-economic impacts of smallholder irrigation schemes among the Boran nomads of Isiolo district, Kenya. African Pastoral Network, Working Paper series No.12. Pastoral Information Network, Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Kivaria, F.M., 2007. The control of East Coast Fever in Africa: A constant battle for impoverished dairy farmers. Veterinary Journal, 1742, 221–222. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.09.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kivaria, F.M., Ruheta, M.R., Mkonyi, P.A. and Geysen, D., 2007. Epidemiological aspects and economic impact of bovine theileriosis (East Coast Fever) and its control: a preliminary assessment with special reference to Kibaha district, Tanzania. Veterinary Journal, 173, 384–390. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.08.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magona, J.W. and Musisi, G., 2002. Influence of age, grazing system, season and agro-climatic zone on the prevalence and intensity of gastro-intestinal strongylosis in Ugandan goats. Small Ruminant Research, 44, 187–192. doi:10.1016/S0921-4488(02)00031-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mekonnen, S.M., 2007. Helminth parasites of sheep and goats in Eastern Ethiopia: Epidemiology and anthelmitnic resistance and its management. Doctoral thesis. Swedish University of agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 50pp.

  • Moll, G., Lohding, A., Young, A.S. and Leitch, B.L. 1986. Epidemiology of theileriosis in calves in endemic area of Kenya. Veterinary Parasitology, 19, 225-273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morton, J., 2006. Pastoralist coping strategies and emergency livestock market intervention. In: J McPeak, P Little (eds), Pastoral livestock marketing in Eastern African research and policy changes, Practical Action, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morton, J., 2007. Helping pastoralists in East Africa cope with drought. In: Rural livelihoods: Research findings for development policy makers and practitioners. Id21 Natural Resource Highlights, 5, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng’ang’a, C.J., Kanyari, P.W., Maingi, N. and Munyua, W.K., 2006. The effect of weather on the occurrence and magnitude of periparturient rise in trichostronglyid nematode egg output in Dorper ewes in a semi-arid area of Kajiado District of Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 38, 389–395. doi:10.1007/s11250-006-4270-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ocaido, M., Siefert, L. and Baranga, J., 1996. Disease surveillance in mixed livestock and game areas around Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 264, 133–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ocaido, M., Seifert, L. and Opuda-Asibo, J., 1997. Pasture helminth egg contamination and infectivity patterns in Lake Mburo rangeland, Uganda. In: Proceedings of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Silver Jubilee Scientific Conference on Veterinary Medicine: The Key to Animal Health, held at Kampala, 16th–18th April, 1997. Uganda Veterinary Journal, 46, 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ocaido, M., Siefert, L. and Baranga, J., 2004. Helminthic risks associated with mixed game and livestock interactions in and around Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda. African Journal of Ecology, 42, 42–48. doi:10.1111/j.0141–6707.2004.00484.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ocaido, M., Otim, C.P., Okuna, N.M., Erume J, Ssekitto, C., Wafula R.Z.O., Kakaire, D., Walubengo, J. and Monrad, J., 2005. Socio-economic and livestock disease survey of agro-pastoral communities in Serere County, Soroti District, Uganda. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 17(8) Art. #93. http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd17/8/ocai17093.htm. Accessed August 2008.

  • O’Connor, L.J., Walkden-Brown, S.W. and Kahn, L.P., 2006. Ecology of the free-living stages of major trichostrongylid parasites of sheep. Veterinary Parasitology, 142, 1–15. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.08.035

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Okello-Onen, J. and Rutagwenda, T., 1998. The status of ECF, causes of calf mortality and abortion in cattle in Ankole Ranching Scheme, Mbarara district, Uganda. A report of GTZ/ Integrated Pastoral Development Project.

  • Okello-Onen, J., Mukhebi, A.W., Tukahirwa, E.M., Musisi, G., Bode, E., Heinonen, R., Perry, B.D. and Opuda-Asibo, J., 1998. Financial analysis of dipping strategies for indigenous cattle under ranch conditions in Uganda. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 33, 241–290. doi:10.1016/S0167-5877(97)00035-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Okori, J., 1999. Health risk concerns associated with livestock-impala interactions and their consumptive utilisation. MSc thesis, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, 117pp.

  • Otim, C.P., 1991. Tick-borne disease control in Uganda. In: OAU/FAO/ILRAD Conference on Tick and Tick-borne disease control in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Held in Kampala, 17–18 September, 1991.

  • Otim, C.P., Ocaido, M., Okuna, N.M., Erume, J., Ssekitto, C., Wafula, R.Z.O., Kakaire, D., Walubengo, J., Okello, A., Mugisha, A. and Monrad, J., 2004. Disease and vector constraints affecting cattle production in pastoral communities of Ssembabule district, Uganda. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 16 (5), Art. #35. http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd16/5/otim16035.htm. Accessed August 2008

  • Perry, B.D. and Randolph, T.F., 1999. Improving the assessment of the economic impact of parasitic diseases and of their control in production animals. Veterinary Parasitology, 84, 145–168. doi:10.1016/S0304-4017(99)00040-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, H.J., Walsh, M. and Hary, I., 1996. Land use potential in the Ankole Ranching Scheme, Nyabushozi, Uganda. A report for GTZ GMBH. Berlin and college station, 45pp

  • Swai, E.S., Karimuribo, E.D., Rugaimukamu, E.A. and Kambarage, D.M., 2006. Factors influencing the distribution of questing ticks and the prevalence estimation of T. parva infection in brown ear ticks in Tanga Region. Journal of Vector Ecology, 31, 224–248. doi:10.3376/1081-1710(2006)31[224:FITDOQ]2.0.CO;2

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thrusfield, M., 2007. Veterinary Epidemiology, 3rd Edition. Blackwell Science, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toulmin, C., 1995. Tracking drought: options for destocking and restocking. In: I Scoones (ed.), Living with uncertainty : New directions in pastoral development in Africa, Intermediate Technical Publications, International Institute of Environment and Development, London, 95–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waller, P.J., 2006. From discovery to development: current industry perspectives for the development of novel methods of helminth control in livestock. Veterinary Parasitology, 139, 1–124. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.02.036

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A.R., 2007. Theileriosis and the tick control conundrum: a better way forward? Veterinary Journal, 173, 248–249. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.08.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to International Foundation of Science (IFS), German Academic Service (DAAD) and Government of Uganda through Board of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda for providing us with funds. The management of ranches and pastoral households in which the study was conducted are all thanked for their co-operation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Wildlife and Animal Resource Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    M. Ocaido

  2. Department of Veterinary Anatomy , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    R. T. Muwazi

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    J. Asibo Opuda

Authors
  1. M. Ocaido
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. T. Muwazi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Asibo Opuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Ocaido.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ocaido, M., Muwazi, R.T. & Opuda, J.A. Disease incidence in ranch and pastoral livestock herds around Lake Mburo National Park, in South Western Uganda. Trop Anim Health Prod 41, 1299–1308 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9315-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9315-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation