The objectives of this study are to assess the role of small ruminants (sheep and goats) in the food production systems of developing countries, examine their advantages and disadvantages, analyze the constraints limiting their further contribution to the welfare of small farm/low income rural producers, prescribe measures for overcoming these constraints, and make recommendations related to potential donor involvement in support of the development of sheep and goat production. Small ruminants are viewed as an integral, but not dominant component of complex agricultural systems. Particular emphasis is placed on sheep and goats in mixed herds grazing dry rangelands and in small mixed farm systems in medium to high rainfall areas. An analysis of major constraints -- ecological, biological, policy, and socio-economic -- leads to recommendations on the need for a balanced production system approach for research, training and development programs, and for a combination of support activities such as herd health programs, and formulation of favorable credit, marketing and pricing policies for small ruminants and their products.

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

Brucellosis, also known as undulant fever, Mediterranean fever, or Malta fever, is an important human disease in many parts of the world. It is a zoonosis and the infection is almost invariably transmitted to people by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. These Guidelines are designed as a concise, yet comprehensive, statement on brucellosis for public health, veterinary and laboratory personnel without access to specialized services. They are also to be a source of accessible and updated information for such others as nurses, midwives and medical assistants who may have to be involved with brucellosis in humans. Emphasis is placed on fundamental measures of environmental and occupational hygiene in the community and in the household as well as on the sequence of actions required to detect and treat patients.

This timely publication updates and standardizes currently used diagnostic procedures for this widespread, economically costly livestock disease. It includes state-of-the-art technology, now in limited use, which will replace the conventional methodology in the near future. The volume covers research done on improved diagnostic techniques, vaccines, taxonomy, epidemiology, pathology, and basic immunology. It is an important literature review for those more established in this field and serves as a guide to researchers or diagnosticians becoming involved with this disease.

African animal trypanosomosis (AAT), also called nagana, is a trans-boundary disease that has had an immense impact on cattle and is ranked among the top global cattle diseases. This and tick-borne diseases have caused major obstacles to sustainable livestock-based agricultural production and food security and are important factors in underdevelopment. Due to decreasing efficacy of available drugs, widespread trypanosome resistance, and the difficulty of sustaining other control measures, there is a need for alternative sustainable strategies to reduce the impact these diseases have on livestock. Combating and Controlling Nagana and Tick-Borne Diseases in Livestock provides the latest empirical research findings on the effects of African animal trypanosomiasis (nagana) and tick-borne disease infection in livestock, their impact on farmer livelihoods, and the measures that can be undertaken to mitigate negative effects and reduce the number of infections. While highlighting topic areas such as disease history and transmission, treatments, and the economic impacts, this book is essential for farmers, animal health and animal production professionals and practitioners, non-government organizations, researchers, academicians, and students working in fields that include but are not limited to agriculture, livestock production, environmental science, veterinary medicine, veterinary pathology, and epidemiology.

This volume contains 44 papers and 2 abstracts from a international conference on African small ruminants research and development. eleven papers and 1 abstract deal with the importance of small ruminant production systems and economics. Another 11 describe and analyse feed resources and feeding systems and there are 6 papers on reproductive problems and their solutions. Seven papers and 1 abstract review the prevalent health problems under various management systems and present the solutions to these production constraints. The last 9 papers deal with breeds, breeding systems and breed improvement.

The World Livestock 2013: Changing disease landscapes looks at the evidence of changing disease dynamics involving livestock and explores three key areas: the Pressure, including drivers and risk factors that contribute to disease emergence, spread and persistence; the State, describing the disease dynamics that result from the Pressure and their subsequent impact; and the Response, required both to adapt and improve the State and to mitigate the Pressure. The report argues that a comprehensive approach for the promotion of global health is needed to face the complexities of the changing disease landscapes, giving greater emphasis on agro-ecological resilience, protection of biodiversity and efficient use of natural resources to ensure safer food supply chains, particularly in areas worst afflicted by poverty and animal diseases. Speeding up response times by early detection and reaction – including improved policies that address disease drivers – is key. Forging a safer, healthier world requires engagement in the One Health approach, which involves all relevant actors and disciplines spanning animal, human and environmental health sectors.