Spread of heartwater along trek routes in Shaba (south east Zaire)
Matton, P.; van Melckebeke, H.
Veterinary Record 125(21): 531
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2595992 Document Number: 332868
Cowdria ruminantium was detected in a Giemsa stained brain squash from a pregnant cow which died on a farm in Lubumbashi in 1988. The farm was one which received cattle from treks from the Marungu and Muhila regions of Zaire. This was the first confirmed diagnosis of heartwater in Lubumbashi. Thereafter 13 animals, of which 7 were found dead or had to be slaughtered in extremis were thought to have the disease. Seven of the cases occurred in December which coincided with the presence of numerous adult Amblyomma variegatum. Rickettsiae were more numerous in crush smears of cortex than of the cerebellum or aorta.