Summary of Article

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
NAME: ABAHO ALLAN

STUDENT NUMBER: 2200705618
REGISTRATION NUMBER: 22/U/5618
COURSE NAME: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE
COURSE UNIT: ANIMAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE
COURSE CODE: ANS 3202
DATE: 19 TH MAR 2024
SUMMARY OF ARTICLE
Key Findings:
A retrospective analysis of diagnostic data from Uganda's Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL)
between April 2012 and March 2014 revealed valuable insights into prevalent cattle and poultry
diseases. The study identified protozoan diseases as the most common, with East Coast Fever in
cattle and Coccidiosis in poultry topping the list. Bacterial and viral infections followed in
prevalence. Interestingly, no significant correlation was found between seasonal rainfall patterns
and disease occurrence. However, the study suggests a possible link between dry seasons and
increased cattle disease prevalence. A significant finding was the high proportion (over half) of
samples resulting in negative diagnoses (42.4%) or inconclusive results (57.6%). This could be
attributed to prior treatment of animals by farmers or limitations in the diagnostic techniques
employed by the lab.
Objectives:
 To ascertain the most prevalent cattle and poultry diseases in Uganda by analyzing diagnostic data
collected by the CDL.
 To investigate potential associations between disease occurrence and seasonal rainfall patterns.
Methodology:
 The research employed a retrospective approach, analyzing existing data on animal samples
submitted to the CDL for diagnosis during the specified timeframe (April 2012 - March 2014).
 The data encompassed details like sample type, animal origin, diagnosed disease, and monthly
submission information.
 Statistical analysis was employed to identify prevalent diseases and assess relationships between
variables like disease occurrence and seasonal rainfall patterns.
Critical Analysis of the Article
a) Major Diseases and Disease Causation :
The article effectively highlights several major cattle and poultry diseases, each caused by distinct
pathogens:
Protozoan: East Coast Fever (cattle) caused by Theileria parva, a parasite transmitted by ticks.
Coccidiosis (poultry) caused by various Coccidia species, single-celled protozoan parasites.
 Bacterial: Mastitis (cattle) primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Collibacillosis
(poultry) caused by Escherichia coli bacteria.
 Viral: Newcastle Disease (poultry) caused by Newcastle disease virus. Rabies (cattle) caused by
the rabies virus, transmissible to humans and other animals.
The concept of disease causation is implicitly conveyed by linking specific diseases to their
causative agents. This knowledge is fundamental for developing effective control strategies.
b) Factors Contributing to Disease Occurrence:
The article suggests several potential contributors to disease occurrence in cattle and poultry:
 Ineffective Tick Control: The high prevalence of East Coast Fever, a tick-borne disease, suggests
challenges in controlling tick populations, possibly due to acaricide resistance. This highlights the
need for exploring alternative tick control methods or developing new acaricides.
 Management Practices: Deficient farm management and biosecurity practices, particularly in
small-scale operations, might contribute to the spread of diseases like Coccidiosis and
Helminthiasis (parasitic worm infections). Improved farmer education on proper hygiene,
sanitation, and animal husbandry practices can significantly reduce disease risks.
 Animal Movement: The movement of cattle during dry seasons in search of pasture and water
could potentially spread diseases if infected animals come into contact with healthy herds.
Implementing quarantine measures and tracking animal movements during dry seasons could be
valuable control strategies.
 Prior Treatment: Treatment with antibiotics or other medications before sample submission
could lead to negative diagnoses, hindering accurate disease identification and potentially masking
the true disease burden. Encouraging farmers to consult veterinarians before administering
medication and collecting samples only from untreated animals can improve diagnostic accuracy.
c) Nature and Characteristics of Cattle and Poultry Diseases :
The article sheds light on several characteristics of the identified diseases that are crucial for
control efforts:
 Economic Impact: These diseases can significantly hinder livestock production and productivity,
leading to losses in income and reduced food security for farmers. Control measures can have a
significant positive impact on livelihoods.
 Zoonotic Potential: Rabies in cattle suggests a potential public health risk, as the disease can be
transmitted to humans and other animals. Vaccination programs for cattle and promoting
responsible pet ownership are crucial to curb rabies spread.
 Seasonal Variations: While not statistically significant, the study suggests a possible link between
dry seasons and increased cattle disease prevalence. Further research is needed to explore this
connection and identify potential seasonal risk factors.
 Diagnostic Challenges: A high proportion of negative/inconclusive diagnoses indicate limitations
in diagnostic techniques or prior treatment. Investing in more advanced diagnostic tools and
training laboratory personnel in their proper use can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy.
d) Principles of Disease Prevention and Control :
While the article doesn't explicitly propose specific prevention and control strategies, the findings
imply the importance of several key principles:
 Enhanced Diagnostics: More accurate and reliable diagnostic techniques can aid in early
detection of diseases, facilitating prompt intervention and control measures to prevent outbreaks.
The high proportion of negative/inconclusive diagnoses in this study highlights the need for
improvement in this area.
 Targeted Treatment: Accurate diagnoses enable targeted treatment with appropriate
medications, reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics and minimizing the development of
antimicrobial resistance.
 Vaccination Programs: Implementing vaccination programs against prevalent diseases like
Newcastle disease and rabies can significantly reduce their occurrence and protect animal health.
 Improved Husbandry Practices: Educating farmers on proper animal husbandry practices,
including hygiene, sanitation, biosecurity measures, and proper nutrition, can significantly reduce
the risk of disease transmission and improve overall animal health.
 Tick Control: Effective tick control strategies are crucial for preventing tick-borne diseases like
East Coast Fever in cattle. This may involve implementing integrated pest management (IPM)
approaches that combine acaricide use with alternative methods like habitat modification or
biological control agents.
 Strategic Movement Control: Minimizing unnecessary animal movement, especially during dry
seasons when disease risks might be higher, and implementing quarantine measures for potentially
infected animals can help prevent the spread of diseases.
 Surveillance and Monitoring: Establishing robust disease surveillance and monitoring programs
allows for early detection of outbreaks and enables timely implementation of control measures.
The data generated by the CDL can play a vital role in such programs.
e) Effectiveness and Feasibility of Disease Prevention Measures :
The proposed disease prevention and control measures discussed above can be effective in
mitigating disease risks in cattle and poultry if implemented appropriately. However, their
feasibility can vary depending on factors like:
 Resource Availability: Resource constraints, particularly in small-scale farming operations, can

limit the adoption of some measures. Developing affordable and accessible solutions is crucial for
widespread implementation.
 Infrastructure and Technology: Effective disease surveillance and monitoring require robust
infrastructure and access to diagnostic technologies. Government support and international
collaboration can be instrumental in establishing these systems in resource-limited settings.
 Farmer Education and Training: The success of many control strategies relies on farmers'
knowledge and adoption of best practices. Investing in farmer education and training programs on
disease prevention, biosecurity, and animal husbandry is essential.
 Policy and Regulations: Implementing effective policies and regulations, such as mandatory
vaccination programs or restrictions on animal movement during high-risk periods, can
significantly contribute to disease control. However, enforcement mechanisms and farmer buy-in
are crucial for success.

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MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

NAME: ABAHO ALLAN

b) Factors Contributing to Disease Occurrence:

e) Effectiveness and Feasibility of Disease Prevention Measures :

 Resource Availability: Resource constraints, particularly in small-scale farming operations, can

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