Climate Change and
Parasite Transmission Targeted Selective Treatment Get involved Learn with Us

About Weathersmart Worm Control

Weathersmart Worm Control is a learning platform and tool to help with parasite control in livestock in the context of global climate change.
Parasitic infection decreases productivity in farm animals.
The parasites’ different life cycles within and outside the host animal are heavily affected by weather conditions. Climate change is causing increased unpredictability to parasitic infections in livestock. Advances in parasitology and advanced bio-models help us to predict infection risk more accurately. These climate models will help to warn farmers when to vaccinate their animals.
We also provide information and training on proven livestock management techniques.

We are working to develop Weathersmart Worm Control in many countries in southern Africa, where climate variation is expected to have a severe impact on food security.

Transmission Risk Reports
Livestock Management Training

Research

Our research develops an integrated management approach to tackle the problem of worm parasites in farm animals and improve global food security. By combining climate models, TST, FAMACHA and potential plant-based bio-control approaches, our research aims to formulate a sustainable approach to parasite management.

The R0 Bio-Model

The R0 model predicts the number of female worms produced by the female worms of the previous generation. As a result, the transmission hazard can be estimated. Variables such as temperature and rainfall data are key in predicting these outcomes. The results are portrayed monthly based on 30 years of data. We aim to produce these outputs on the finest spatial scale feasible with future work.