The prevalence of spastic paralysis among bovines in the north central region of Namibia

Abstract

Abstract by author:

The study investigated the prevalence of spastic paralysis in the North Central Regions of Namibia as from 1994-2003. The aim of the study was to find out, the prevalence of diseases characterized by spastic paralysis and to identify their major causes in the north central regions of Namibia (e. g. Botulism, Milk fever, Plant poisoning, Tetanus, Three Day Stiff Sickness, Rabies, Chlyamydiosis and Black quarter). As far as the result is concerned, the study found out that botulism was the major prevalent disease with about 62. 9 percent mortality rate. Other diseases such as rabies; blackquarter; three-day stiff sickness and plant poisoning occurred but too seldom while the incidences for chlamydiosis and milk fever were not observed at all. Diseases data were collected from Ondangwa Veterinary Office in Ondangwa and at the Epidemiology Section in Windhoek. Monthly reports, Quarterly, National Summary reports and Annual reports were the main sources of information. The rainfall data were obtained from the Central Metrological Office in Windhoek. Data were statistical analysed with SAS (1999) and SPSS using Pearson Correlation and cross tabulation method. When each prevalent disease was statistical analysed against the yearly total rainfall, all results obtained were not significant (P0. 05). In all years, the highest mortality rate was observed in 1996 and 2003 respectively, whereby 156 cases were recorded