Bovine theileriosis in Burundi: chemotherapy with halofuginone lactate.

In a field trial 100 cattle suffering from naturally acquired East Coast fever caused by Theileria parva were treated with halofuginone lactate at a dose of 0.6 to 2.0 mg/kg body weight. Records were kept of exact diagnosis, treatment and follow up observations. The total recovery rate was 87%. The rate was highest in local breeds (up to 100%) and lowest in Friesian cattle (61.5%). Two treatments were administered to nine animals, two of which had relapsed four to six days after the first treatment. Halofuginone was well tolerated when the therapeutic dose was diluted in at least 500 ml of water. It proved to be a reliable and effective drug in the treatment of theileriosis under field conditions.