NEOSPOROSIS, THE LITTLE-KNOWN INFECTION CAUSING ABORTION IN DAIRY COWS.

Neospora caninum is a cyst-forming coccidian protozoan with a broad host range, but a preference for cattle and dogs. It is maintained through a complex life cycle involving mainly dog hosts and a number of intermediate hosts. Reproductive losses, including abortions and stillbirths, particularly in dairy cattle, have been reported globally and have led to substantial economic losses. Cattle can acquire infection through ingestion of sporulated oocysts in contaminated feed and through placental transmission. Common causes of abortion in dairy herds include brucellosis, coxiellosis, Rift Valley fever, chlamydiosis, bovine viral diarrhoea virus and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis but there is limited information on N. caninum infection in dairy cattle in South Africa. A few studies have reported N. caninum infection in cattle, with one study in dairy cattle from milk-producing provinces reporting a prevalence of only 2.3%., this despite the fact that the parasite is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of abortions worldwide. This may be one reason that it has been largely neglected or gone unrecognised in South Africa.

Obtaining information on the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) of farmers on specific diseases is important for the effective planning, implementation and assessment of strategies aimed at preventing infection and controlling disease. It helps in the identification of knowledge gaps that may hinder animal health programmes. The study cited therefore aimed to assess the KAPs of dairy cattle farmers regarding bovine neosporosis and to have a better understanding of the measures and strategies in place to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease.     

In the study, 48 commercial dairy farmers across seven milk-producing regions were surveyed to assess their knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices regarding bovine neosporosis. Most respondents were commercial farmers (98%), managed mixed-breed cattle (48%), operated farms larger than 500 hectares (48%) and had cattle averaging 3–5 years in age (77%).

The results showed that only 21% of farmers were aware of neosporosis. Despite limited knowledge, 77% demonstrated good disease management practices, and 52% had positive attitudes towards control efforts. Three variables were significantly associated with the odds of positive practice and positive attitude scores. Farms with herds over 500 animals were 41.7 times more likely to exhibit good practices. Farms that used total mixed ration were associated with better practices. No specific factors were found to be associated with increased disease knowledge.

Conclusions: It was found that commercial dairy farmers in South Africa had limited knowledge of neosporosis. While most demonstrated the right attitudes and implemented appropriate practices related to disease prevention, these efforts were generally aimed at other diseases or focused on broad biosecurity measures. There is a need to raise awareness and to promote the testing of animals for N. caninum, particularly in cases of abortion and the management of dogs on farms. These measures should be integrated into a broader strategy for effective disease prevention and control programmes. This KAP study has provided valuable insights that can help address existing knowledge gaps and improve disease management of dairy farms in the country.