The financial and production impacts of bovine dermatophilosis in Zambia.

During October to December 1986, 365 traditional cattle herds in four provinces in Zambia were inspected and the owners interviewed. Information was collected on the treatment, management and disposal of cases of bovine dermatophilosis and on the effects of this disease on productivity for 1985. The contemporary financial cost per case of treatment and/or premature disposal, slaughter or death to the owners was K. 202 (US$91). The cost due to draft oxen being affected was estimated at K. 428 (US$193) per affected ox. The cost of reduced milk production, replacing affected cows and calf deaths, directly or indirectly from bovine dermatophilosis, was estimated at K. 132 (US$78) per affected milking cow. The total annual national cost of bovine dermatophilosis in 1985 was conservatively estimated to be some K. 6.9 million, (US$3 million). There were indications that the true financial cost in 1985 may have been up to 1.8 times the estimated cost.