The incidence of hydatidosis in the Republic of South Africa

Abstract

Hydatidosis occurs in all the areas of the Republic that were covered by this survey. In the country as a whole the average incidence is approximately 1 per cent in all species of slaughter stock. The incidence varies in the different regions and in different species of livestock in the same region. In cattle it is high in the Eastern Province and the Transvaal Bushveld, in sheep at Welkom and Vryburg, in pigs in the Western Province and at Potgietersrus. The incidence in cattle increases with the age of the animals. The majority of the centres recorded an incidence of below 1 per cent in both sheep and pigs, but only 30 per cent of the centres recorded a similar low incidence in cattle. The domestic dog is an important disseminator of hydatidosis but wild carnivores, particularly the black-backed jackal, are also sources of infestation in certain areas. Farming practices tending to increase contact between the domestic dog and livestock, tend to increase the incidence of hydatidosis.