Prevalence of besnoitiosis in domestic ruminants in Kenya : a preliminary survey

A preliminary survey on the prevalence of besnoitiosis in domestic ruminants in Kenya based on field and farm visits, clinical and post mortem examinations and histopathological examination of tissues and biopsies, showed that goats are the most affected, followed by cattle, while sheep were unaffected. Caprine besnoitiosis occurred in a continuous belt in 5 of the 8 provinces in Kenya stretching from the Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Nairobi and the Rift Valley Provinces. Mandera, in the North Eastern Province, had the highest prevalence rate of 36%, followed by Kwale (35%), Isiolo (35%), Marsabit (33%), Wajir (28%), Nairobi (26%), Meru (24%), Garissa (21%), Taita Taveta (18%), Embu (17%), Kitui (9%), Machakos (7%), Laikipia (3%), Kajiado (2%) and Turkana and Elgeyo-Marakwet (1% each). In all flocks where the prevalence rates were over 6%, kids were observed to be affected. There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between the prevalence rates in bucks and does (18% and 18.4, respectively), but kids were less (4%) affected. Bovine besnoitiosis was found only in the Tana River District, with an infection rate of 11%.