By PAULINE KAIRU More by this AuthorA chance discovery in Kenya could give relief to millions of farmers who have been losing their cattle to East Coast fever. Researchers at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kenya and Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland have identified a genetic marker that predicts whether an individual cow is likely to survive infection with East Coast fever. This new information presents an opportunity to craft breeding programmes that could develop cattle strains with resilience against the disease. “We are struggling to control this disease,” says Phil Toye, principal scientist in animal health at ILRI. “If the cattle are susceptible, without treatment you can lose 100 percent of your herd in two or three weeks.”

Source: Daily Nation May 19, 2022 20:06 UTC