Parasite Control and Climate Change
Parasitic infection decreases productivity in animals.
Parasites that affect farm animals, like the Botfly Larvae, the Barber Pole worm and the Liver Fluke all have different life cycles within and outside the host animal.
These life cycles are heavily affected by weather conditions.
Climate change is causing increased unpredictability to parasitic infections in livestock.
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.
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.
Our aim is to improve global food security with our integrated management approach to parasitic infections in livestock.
Advances in parasitology and advanced bio-models help us to predict infection risk more accurately. We translate this science into real life decisions to improve global food security.
On our website we show to date data on the spatial and seasonal status of worm parasites. These climate models will help to warn farmers when to vaccinate their animals.
We also provide information and training on proven livestock management techniques.
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.