Abstract
P.K. Boiko*, V.M. Sokolyuk, O.P. Boiko, V.I. Koziy and A.M. Fedorchenko
The goal of our research was to identify the model and study the features of blackleg epizootic process of cattle in Ukraine. The analysis of official statistical data of state veterinary reports on the incidence of blackleg infection in the territory of Ukraine over the period 1971–2007 were performed. The method of epizootological analysis was used. Ukraine is the territory of permanent existing of epizootic process of blackleg. Its activity has a temporary irregularity with a tendency to decrease, which is explained by the reduction in livestock numbers, starting from the beginning of the 90s, an increase in the use of the blackleg vaccine in the late 1970s. The growth of the epizootic situation in the early 70s and by the mid-80s was due to intensive land reclamation work, which was accompanied by the removal of the spores of the pathogen blackleg on the soil surface. On the other hand, the introduction of veterinary and sanitary plants for the disposal of destructive raw materials in the late 70s reduced the incidence of blackleg. The most intensive epizootic situation was observed in Lviv and Dnipro (epizootic index 0.64), in Volyn (0.68), in Rivne and Kharkiv – 0.8 and 0.88 respectively. The activity of the stationary foci of blackleg is highest during the first four years and amounts to 80.5% of all repeated outbreaks of the disease. Manifestation of the epizootic process of blackleg in Ukraine has a pronounced seasonality, especially in pasture season, which indicates the soil character of this infection. The epizootic process of blackleg of cattle in Ukraine is characterized by constancy, temporal irregularity, pronounced seasonality and sporadic manifestation, slow extinction of its intensity.