07 February 2024 – The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development (DALRRD) has sent a letter to advise provincial veterinary services, the National Animal Health Forum, and private veterinarians of the confirmation of outbreaks of Theiliriosis in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
It is important to note that no outbreaks of East Coast Fever/January Disease have occurred in South Africa since the early 1950s, and the country remains free of these diseases at this point.
Game ranchers, especially those with buffalo, need to be alert to the early warning of potential risk this poses to South Africa.
Disease status: All types of Theileria parva (January disease) are controlled diseases and any suspicion of the disease must be reported.
Disease transmission: Brown Ear Ticks
Climate risk: Higher rainfall summer (December to May) poses the highest risk for disease transmission due to the breeding cycle of the brown ear tick.
Risk factors: Illegal importation of cattle, and the inadvertent introduction of infected ticks via people, hides or cars crossing the border into South Africa
Early warning and immediate eradication of any incursion, should it occur, is of the utmost importance.
“The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development encourages everyone 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, including Theileria spp., while the involvement of professionals is encouraged to combat the risks of acaricide resistance.”
Click here to download a copy of the Theileriosis reports in Zimbabwe info letter, or read below:
2024_01_30.Theileriosis_reports_in_Zimbabwe.info_letter
