PREVALENCE OF BOVINE AORTIC ONCHOCERCIASIS IN KERALA

Abstract

Aortic onchocerciasis is one of the most common spontaneous affections of bovines in India (Patnaik, 1962). At times it causes aneurysm which ruptures with fatal outcome (Kolte et al., 1976). Patnaik (1962) has reported signs of fits in some of the RedSindhi and Haryana bulls of Orissa. The signs were sudden in onset, the affected animals falling down with a thud after slight tremors. The animal stretches its neck while in recumbancy and straightens all four legs and gets up after 2-3 minutes as if nothing had happened. Very high microfilarial count has also .been recorded in such animals. Nasseri et al. (1983) reported that out of 100 cattle examined, 98 had aortic onchocerciasis. In Kerala no study has been conducted on aortic onchocerciasis. In the present study, aorta of 118 animals were examined, which included 106 cattle, 8 buffaloes and 4 dwarf cattle of Kerala