Sheep and goat heartwater in Guadeloupe

Abstract

Outbreaks of caprine heartwater occur everywhere in Basse-Terre and in Grande-Terre, throughout the year. The epidemiological cycle of the disease is characterized by an unstable balance between a very pathogenic stock of Cowdria, a widespread but very little infected tick, and a Creole goat population including more resistant lineages. Symptoms are: high fever, nervous symptoms followed by death if an antibiotic treatment is not administered quickly. The only definite diagnosis is performed by the microscopic exam of brain. The most efficient way to fight against cowdriosis is to dip regularly animals.