Bovine clostridial infections in Zambia (1985-1994)

Retrospective surveillance study of clostridial infections of cattle in Zambia, for the period 1985 to 1994, showed that out of the 318 cases observed, 62.8% and 24.2% were from Western and Southern provinces, respectively. Of the 6 clostridia species identified, Clostridium septicum (38.1%) followed by C. chauvoei (36.2%) and C. perfringens (13.2%) were dominant. Although the highest incidence for clostridial infections was in 1989 (75 cases) and 1990 (77 cases), the number of C. perfringens cases seemed to increase. More cases were found in the dry season until the onset of the rains, that is, the period August to December.