WITH the rising cost of controlling and treating tick-transmitted East Coast Fever (ECF), researchers and herbalists in Kenya are working hard to come up with cheaper alternatives. In Kenya, it requires at least Shs 6000 ($ 76) to successfully manage a case of ECF.
Even with this cost, many cases succumb to the disease that is endemic in countries of eastern and southern Africa. Hundreds of cattle die each year from the disease in Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Success depends on the time of treatment and the onset of confirmatory symptoms.
Caused by a protozooan, Theileria parva , it is transmitted by the brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Typical signs include swelling of the parotid gland close to the ear and other lymph glands; difficult breathing; typical cough and lachyrimation ( tears from the eyes). Initially, the animal will have high fever, reduced appetite, and a sharp drop in milk production and sometimes diarrhea.
Though vaccines are available against the ECF, their efficacy is compromised by hostile African conditions. Synthetic acaricides have proved expensive; lead to development of drug-resistant ticks and act as meat and milk contaminants.
At the same time, Structural Adjustment Programs meted out by the World Bank to African nations in the early 90s have led to government withdrawal from dipping services, thus compromising tick control.
Research at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) has shown that some botanical extracts and strains of fungi can be used in controlling the tick vector.
Strains of entopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana have produced impressive results when used against different stages of ticks. Field tests of their aqueous formulations have shown tick suppression capabilities. At the same time, a fungus-baited device with an attraction pheromone has been shown to attract the Ambylomma variegatum tick species and induce control.
Further research has also shown that neem oil inhibits attachment and feeding by the larvae of the disease carrying ticks. The oil has also reduced fecundity and hatchability of the eggs, moulting of larvae and nymphs as well as the sterilisation of the exposed eggs.
Some species of vegetation with tick repelling abilities have also been identified for further work. They include Melinis minutiflora and Gynandropis gynandra. When used as live fence around pasture, they have been shown to ward off ticks, reducing their infestation of livestock.
The battle is also being waged on another front- herbal medicine. In African culture, many human and livestock diseases have been managed through herbal concoctions from plants that have been identified over millions of years. However, in the recent past, herbal medicine is gaining acceptance in human and veterinary medicine.
Dr. Jack Githae, a renowned herbalist and a veterinarian, has identified tree species with medicinal properties that are revolutionising disease control.
“The future of herbal medicine in the treatment of human and livestock diseases is bright,” asserts the head of the internationally recognised School of Alternative Medicine and Technology ( SAMTECH).
Already, Dr.Githae reports that herb prescriptions from his school have completely cured 60 per cent of ECF cases. “We are already giving prescriptions in small tablets or in powder form to be taken in warm water,” adds the veterinarian turned herbalist.
According to Githae, other livestock diseases responding to herbal therapy include mastitis (60 per cent); anaplasmosis (70 per cent); brucellosis (60 per cent) New Castle disease (80 per cent); coccidiosis (70 per cent) and pneumonia ( 70 per cent).