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Yawa M, Mtenjwa B, Jaja IF, Mthi S, Nyangiwe N, Tokozwayo S, Rumosa-Gwaze F, Stempa T, Qokweni L. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Vet World 2024; 17:558-563. [PMID: 38680145 PMCID: PMC11045542 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.558-563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Sheep scab is one of the most contagious diseases of sheep found in rural communities worldwide and is a major health and welfare concern for sheep farming. Information on the attitudes of communal farmers to sheep scab remains speculative in the Eastern Cape Province. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Materials and Methods From June to August 2022, a cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire (n = 160) was conducted in two rural communities of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in Eastern Cape Province. Purpose sampling was used to obtain respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and management practices regarding sheep scabs. Results Among respondents, 81% were males and 19% were females. The majority of sheep farmers (59%) in both communities were aware of sheep scabs, but the majority (64%) did not receive any farming training. The majority of sheep farmers (65%) believed that sheep scab was the most serious threat to their sheep production since it increased mortality. In the past 3 years, approximately 57% of respondents reported an increase in the prevalence of sheep scab. The majority of farmers reported wool loss as the most noticeable clinical symptom (73%). More than 80% of sheep farmers do not use acaricide on a regular basis. Sixty-one percent of farmers prefer a pour-on topical application method. The frequency of annual dipping was every fortnight (40%), during summer and winter (24%). Most farmers (66%) regularly vaccinate their sheep. Conclusion The prevalence of sheep scab is increasing in these communities; however, a better understanding of the factors that facilitate its transmission is required to allow improved management and control of this disease. The government must involve extension officers and distribute them to disseminate information to farmers. Thus, it will be easy to translate the literature into action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandla Yawa
- Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim 4930, South Africa
- Department of Livestock and Pasture, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Bukeka Mtenjwa
- Department of Livestock and Pasture, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Ishmael Festus Jaja
- Department of Livestock and Pasture, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Siza Mthi
- Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, P.O. Box 112, Queenstown 5320, South Africa
| | - Nkululeko Nyangiwe
- Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim 4930, South Africa
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Sive Tokozwayo
- Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim 4930, South Africa
| | | | - Thuthuzelwa Stempa
- Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Private Bag X3090, Butterworth 4960, South Africa
| | - Luxolo Qokweni
- Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Private Bag X6012, Port Elizabeth 6001, South Africa
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Smith AEO, Ruston A, Doidge C, Lovatt F, Kaler J. Putting sheep scab in its place: A more relational approach. Prev Vet Med 2022; 206:105711. [PMID: 35841740 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Since the reintroduction of sheep scab within the UK, its prevalence has increased despite several industry-led initiatives to control and manage the disease. Some studies have suggested that initiatives or policies should instead focus on specific places, such as geographically high-risk areas for sheep scab, which could allow for a more targeted approach. However, this risk of sheep scab has been measured in set geographical areas, without the reference to the interplay of topography, host, pathogen and the way in which humans socially and culturally define risk and place, potentially limiting the effectiveness of preventative initiatives. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to understand how place influences sheep farmers' approaches to the identification and management of the risk of sheep scab in their flocks. Qualitative data was collected from 43 semi-structured interviews with sheep farmers from England, Scotland, and Wales and was analysed by using the constant comparative approach. The codes were grouped into four concepts that influenced farmers' decision-making strategies for sheep scab control: perception of place; risk identification; risk categorisation; and risk management. These concepts were used as an analytical framework to identify three different 'places': 'uncontrollable places', 'liminal places' and 'protective places'. Each place reflects a different sheep scab control strategy used by farmers and shaped by their perceptions of place and risk. The 'uncontrollable places' category represented farmers who were located in areas that were geographically high-risk for sheep scab and who experienced a high frequency of sheep scab infestations in their flocks. The risk posed by their local landscape and neighbouring farmers, who neglected to engage in preventative behaviours, led them to feel unable to engage in effective risk management. Thus, they viewed scab as uncontrollable. The farmers within the 'liminal places' category were characterised as farmers who were located in high-risk areas for sheep scab, but experienced low levels of sheep scab infestations. These farmers characterised the risks associated with sheep scab management in terms of needing to protect their reputation and felt more responsibility for controlling sheep scab, which influenced them to engage in more protective measures. The farmers within the 'protective places' category were characterised as farming within low-risk areas and thus experienced a low level of sheep scab infestations. These farmers also described their risk in terms of their reputation and the responsibility they held for protecting others. However, they sought to rely on their low geographical risk of sheep scab as a main source of protection and therefore did not always engage in protective measures. These results suggest that place-based effects have significant impacts on sheep farmers' beliefs and behaviours and thus should be considered by policymakers when developing future strategies for sheep scab control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice E O Smith
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Annmarie Ruston
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Social Care, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury CT1 1QU, UK.
| | - Charlotte Doidge
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Fiona Lovatt
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
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Nixon EJ, Brooks-Pollock E, Wall R. Sheep scab spatial distribution: the roles of transmission pathways. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:344. [PMID: 34187531 PMCID: PMC8243883 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04850-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is a highly pathogenic contagious infection caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis. Following 21 years in which scab was eradicated in the UK, it was inadvertently reintroduced in 1972 and, despite the implementation of a range of control methods, its prevalence increased steadily thereafter. Recent reports of resistance to macrocyclic lactone treatments may further exacerbate control problems. A better understanding of the factors that facilitate its transmission are required to allow improved management of this disease. Transmission of infection occurs within and between contiguous sheep farms via infected sheep-to-sheep or sheep-environment contact and through long-distance movements of infected sheep, such as through markets. METHODS A stochastic metapopulation model was used to investigate the impact of different transmission routes on the spatial pattern of outbreaks. A range of model scenarios were considered following the initial infection of a cluster of highly connected contiguous farms. RESULTS Scab spreads between clusters of neighbouring contiguous farms after introduction but when long-distance movements are excluded, infection then self-limits spatially at boundaries where farm connectivity is low. Inclusion of long-distance movements is required to generate the national patterns of disease spread observed. CONCLUSIONS Preventing the movement of scab infested sheep through sales and markets is essential for any national management programme. If effective movement control can be implemented, regional control in geographic areas where farm densities are high would allow more focussed cost-effective scab management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Joanne Nixon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
| | - Ellen Brooks-Pollock
- Veterinary Public Health, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS40 5EZ, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Richard Wall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
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