The Epidemiology of Theileriosis in Africa

Book excerpt: Theileriosis is the name given to infections caused by several species of Theileria, the most important of which in Africa are Theileria annulata and Theileria parva. Their distributions in the continent are distinct, and follow that of their main field tick vectors. The annulata occurs in North Africa and the Nile River Valley, and the parva in sub-Saharan eastern, central, and southern Africa. This book reviews the work on theileriosis since 1902 from an historical, biological, ecological, epidemiological, and economic point of view. The results shed new light on poorly understood areas in theileriosis and at the same time assist with the development of more robust control strategies. Focuses on a tick borne parasite that threatens twenty-five million cattle in Central and East Africa Assembles all current data on the epidemiology of theileriosis in Africa Lays the groundwork for future studies