South Africa’s department of agriculture, land reform, and rural development has raised alarms regarding outbreaks of theileriosis disease in Zimbabwean cattle, signalling a potential threat to local livestock farmers.
The outbreak of theileriosis, also called January disease, in cattle was confirmed by Zimbabwe Veterinary Services. According to Dr Mpho Maja, director of animal health in the department, the outbreak poses a potential threat to South Africa.
What is theileriosis?
Theileriosis in cattle may be associated with very high mortalities, especially if an outbreak occurs in previously unexposed animals. The disease is transmitted by brown ear ticks (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus), Maja said.
“Due to the breeding cycle of the brown ear tick in the affected areas, the higher rainfall summer months pose the highest risk for disease transmission, which may also place South Africa at a higher risk of incursion between December and May.
“South Africa has not imported any live cattle from Zimbabwe for many years and the import requirements for other risk commodities, including hides, skins and hay, require these commodities to be free of ticks,” Maja said.
However, factors such as illegal importation of cattle, or inadvertent introduction of infected ticks via people, hay, hides or cars crossing the border into South Africa, may still pose a risk.
Early detection is key
Although no outbreaks of January disease have occurred in South Africa since the early 1950s and South Africa remains free of these diseases, farmers must take precaution.
Dr Jane Mabaso, a state veterinarian overseeing biosecurity efforts, emphasised, “Early detection is key to containing the spread of theileriosis. We encourage farmers to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of the disease and to implement strict biosecurity measures on their farms.”
Should there be a disease suspicion, frequent acaricide application must be started immediately at least three times within two weeks.
Furthermore, the following samples must be collected by an official veterinarian:
- From live animals: Peripheral blood smears, full blood samples in heparin and EDTA serum samples.
- From postmortem cases: Peripheral blood smears, impression smears from visceral organs, visceral and lymphoid tissue, etc.
Collected samples must be sent immediately to Onderstepoort veterinary laboratory for testing. Samples must be submitted via the state veterinarian and sample submission forms must be completed in full, including full details about the location, reasons for testing and the history of the case, the department said.
In the meantime, farmers are encouraged to practice strict biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of all animal diseases, including not introducing animals of unknown health status into their herds.
Regular treatment of cattle to reduce tick loads is strongly advised as a measure to reduce exposure to the vectors of many tick-borne diseases.
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