Assessment of Farm management risk factors of contracting haemoparasitic infections in Pastoralist and Sedentary cattle in Soba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The major cattle management system observed in Soba Local Government Area was pastoral husbandry system. Under this system, cattle were extensively grazed on established forages of Kaduna State forests and were exposed to various arthropod vectors of haemoparasites. These haemoparasites are a serious threat to food security in Soba LGA due to their influence on cattle productivity. Questionnaires were used in assessing some farm management risk factors of contracting haemoparasitic infections in both pastoralist and sedentary herds in Soba LGA. A total of 24 herdsmen made up of 20 pastoralists and 4 sedentary herdsmen were interviewed. The study revealed, that some herd management practices were observed to have constituted risks to acquiring haemoparasitic infections in both pastoralist and sedentar y herds in the study area. For instance, vectors of haemoparasites such as ticks and biting flies aside Glossina were present in both pastoralist and sedentary herds in the study area. Some farm management practices such as screening of herds for haemoparasites, treatment of it once in 12 months and quarantining of new stock before adding to the existing herds were found not to be carried. Thus, constituted risk factors in the herds. This preliminary study, provided evidence of the possible arthropod vectors (ticks and biting flies) that may be involved in the transmission of haemoparasites to cattle in Soba LGA of Kaduna State. It is envisaged that this survey will stimulate more studies to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle in Soba LGA of Kaduna State.

The Epidemiology of Coxiella infections in Domestic Animals and Humans in ‎Nigeria: A Review

“…Livestock husbandry and management systems with regard to Coxiella infection in Nigeria Tukur et al (2014), in a study to determine the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in cattle in Kaduna metropolis, reported that cattle with no ectoparasites control programme had higher seroprevalence against C. burnetii and that exotic breeds of cattle were negative for Q fever antibodies as they were suspected of having strict external parasites control. Furthermore, Danbirni et al (2018) reported that the major cattle management system they observed in Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State was the pastoral husbandry system in which cattle were extensively grazed on wild forages and this exposed the cattle and even the small ruminants under their control to various arthropod vectors of haemoparasites, bacterial and viral disease among others. Similarly, Kaltungo (2013;2018a2018b) reported pastoralists and small ruminant holders keeping their livestock under traditional methods with herds and flocks from neighbours mixing freely.…”

Overview of tuberculosis in Animals in Nigeria

“…In order to understand the epidemiology of tuberculosis in animals, a good comprehension of the husbandry and management systems of the animals is important. Livestock production in Nigeria especially that as practiced by the pastoralists, is characterized by extensive management system while the animals under the elite herds are being managed partially under semiintensive system (Saidu, et al, 1991;Danbirni, 2018). This involves the cattle and to a certain extent sheep being moved from one place to another.…”