| dc.description.abstract | This thesis describes a study on a cross-sectional survey of Mange Infestation and Contagious
Caprine Plueropnuemonia (CCPP) in goats, in Turkana District, North-western Kenya. The
objectives were to determine the prevalence of CCPP and mange infestation, age and spatial;
translate the information into thematic maps using Geographical lnformation Systems (GIS);
determine possible risk factors for CCPP and mange and suggest possible strategies for their
mitigation. The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire, a clinical field survey for
mange, followed by laboratory parasitological examination of samples; a field and
slaughterhouse serological survey for CCPP and geo-referencing the sampled areas.
Sixteen families (adakars) each containing 10 - 15 households were conveniently selected for
the study. Seven households in each adakar were randomly selected for sampling. Five of them
were subjected to a questionnaire interview. The purpose of the questionnaire was to asses the
type of production system, the diseases of the goats ranked in the order of importance, and
specifically the importance of caprine respiratory disease, skin conditions and measures taken to
deal with them. In the Mange survey 560 animals from seven households in each Adakar were
examined clinically for mange. The distribution of lesions on the body surface and the age and
sex of the affected animals were recorded. Samples of skin scrapings were obtained from the
affected animals and examined for mites in the laboratory. Serum samples were obtained from
719 animals from the seven households and examined for CCPP by Complement Fixation Test.
The 719 animals included the 560 examined for mange. Animals at two slaughterhouses were
examined at post mortem for lesions indicative of CCPP. Lung samples were collected and
cultured for isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum capripnuemonia (Mccp). Blood samples were
also collected from the animals before slaughter and sera tested for CCPP.
Mange was identified as an important disease by 27.2% of the respondents, ranking second to
pneumonias. 208 out of the 560 goats had lesions indicative of mange. Both sexes and all age
groups were affected and the distribution of lesion was highest on the ears. Fifty two percent
(109/208) skin scrapping samples were positive for mites (Sarcoptes var. scabiei). CCPP
grouped together with pneumonias was indicated as an important disease by 60% of the
respondents.
Of the 719 serum samples collected from the field, 55 (7.6%) were positive in CFT for CCPP
while 26 out of281 (9.2%) samples from the slaughterhouses were positive, with the mean sero-
prevalence for CCPP at 8.1 %.The prevalence was higher for samples obtained from areas
bordering neighbouring countries. Slaughterhouse inspection findings indicated only chronic
plueropnuemonic lesions in apparently healthy goats. Mccp was not isolated from any of the 83
lung samples collected.
Concurrent mange and CCPP infections was found in 7 /560 (1.3%) of the animals examined.
No association was detected between the two diseases, x2=0.04 (P>0.05).
It is concluded that Mange and CCPP are important diseases of goats in Turkana district with
mange affecting 37% and CCPP affecting 8.1% of the goat population. In mange, the severe
clinical signs evidenced by irritation and scratching, which would interfere with feeding, would
reduce productive and reproductive performances of the affected animals. The causative agent is
mainly Sarcoptes scabiei.
Proximity to the neighboring countries was found to be a risk factor for CCPP. Movement
across the borders in search of water and pasture is common, and as a result, the rate of animal
contact is high. This was supported by the high prevalence in these border areas. Lesions of
CCPP can be found in apparently healthy animals, an indication that the disease can take a
chronic and a sub clinical course. Results from CFT indicated that plueropnuemonia lesions in
some cases may be caused by organisms other than M capripnuemonia. | en |
