Impacts of climate variability and change on the prevalence of cattle diseases and parasites in diverse production environments of Kenya

Abstract

The study analyzed the impacts of climate variability and change (CVC) on the prevalence of cattle diseases and parasites in diverse production environments (PEDs). The PEDs were sampled from three counties; Rongai sub-county in Nakuru County (low-altitude), Kipkelion sub-county in Kericho County (medium-altitude) and Nandi South sub-county (High-altitude) from Nandi County. In each sub-county, one location with the highest dairy cattle populations was sampled. A participatory survey and interviews were conducted among the smallholder dairy farmers. The most prevalent diseases in all the PEDs included east coast fever (ECF), mastitis, dermatitis, black quarter, brucellosis, anaplasmosis, anthrax, milk fever, foot rot, lumpy skin (LSD), Nagana (Trypanosomiasis), foot and mouth (FMD). Disease prevalence level ranged from 2.00 (rare) to 4.00 (ever-present). Ticks, mosquitoes, tsetse flies, fleas, ants, crabs, mites, flies and lice were the most common external parasites. In all the PEDs, farmers observed an increase in crabs, frogs, flies and ticks. Findings from this study provide resourceful information for developing diseases and parasites mitigating strategies in the specific production environment.

Keywords: climate change, parasites, diseases, production environments