A climate-based model for the development of the ixodid tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus in East Coast fever zones.

East Coast fever (Theileria parva infection) is an important parasitic disease of cattle in East and Central Africa. Past experimental studies have provided a great deal of information on the dynamics of the life cycle of the tick vector, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. This paper describes a mathematical model based on field observations to explain the close relationship between the tick life cycle and climate. The model provides a basis for the future study of different ECF control programmes using computer experiments.