Field cases of East Coast fever in grade cattle in Uganda

Case records were kept of 81 cattle suspected to be infected with East Coast fever. Microscopical confirmation was obtained in 66 animals and the fate of 65 of these was known. Forty-five cattle died or were slaughtered and 20 recovered. No significant difference in mortality was found in respect of age or grade. When the incidence of certain clinical signs in these two groups was compared, differences in respect of rectal temperature and observable vascular changes in certain visible mucous membranes were found. Enlargement of the superficial lymph nodes was the commonest clinical sign and the prescapular nodes were the most regularly involved. Drug treatment, where given, appeared ineffective. Among 20 recovered cases some were severely ill while others had very mild symptoms.