Epidemiological behavior of bovine dermatophilosis in Huambo province, Angola

Abstract

In Huambo, Angola, there is little knowledge about bovine dermatophilosis and its risk of occurrence, which are crucial aspects to design a better prevention and control strategy. The aim of this study was to determine the behavior of bovine dermatophilosis and to identify factors and risk areas in Huambo, Angola. Based on data from the Veterinary Authority, a longitudinal, retrospective and descriptive study on the occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution of the disease was carried out 2010 to 2014. In the period, 876 cases were reported distributed in 87 outbreaks. The level of precipitation had a higher positive correlation (0,525) with the occurrence of cases two months later, while the odds ratio for occurrence of rainy season cases, compared todry season, was between three and 14 times more likely. According to the exposed bovine population, the municipalities with the highest risk of occurrence were Bailundo and Tchicala-Tcholoanga. However, a large area east of the province, which brought together significantly low rates of occurrence to six contiguous municipalities (Tchindjenje, Ukuma, Longonjo, Ecunha, Londuimbale, Caala), demands future studies to clarify the causes. The moderate correlation of the rainfall level, with the occurrence of dermatophylosis two months later, presents a potential for health alert and a reinforcement of preventive control measures. This advantage is further justified by the high strength of association found in the present study for the occurrence of dermatophilosis in the rainy season in Huambo.

Key words: bovine dermatophilosis, estreptotricosis, epidemiology, risk, spatial analysis, rainy season.