Validation of the ethnoveterinary practices used in the control of
myiasis and treatment of cattle wounds in the Eastern Cape
Province, South Africa
Oluseyi Soyelu (MSc Student)
Supervisor: - Dr. P.J. Masika
Email: 200803693@ufh.ac.za or oluseyi23@yahoo.co.uk
Summary of the project
Cattle are the main farm animals used for meat and milk production for human consumption.
Despite their apparent importance in feeding the human population, parasites are still a threat
to the cattle industry leading to significant production losses. The external parasites of cattle,
especially, flies and ticks are the most serious threats since they feed on blood and body
tissues. Ticks are capable of causing severe skin damage, which could lead to fly strike
which is a condition caused by maggots living on the animal wound. Larvae of flies such as
blowfly and screwworm fly breed on wounds causing tissue damage, discomfort, decreased
appetite, lower milk production and may eventually lead to death. Control of external
parasites and the treatment of wounds using conventional medicines have been helpful yet,
its high cost and lack of knowledge particularly, among resource-poor farmers has
necessitated sourcing for alternative means of control and treatment which would be quite
affordable, readily available and also, effective. The aim of this study is therefore to identify
and document the various ethno-veterinary practices used by the resource-poor farmers in
the control of fly larvae and treatment of wounds in their cattle. Also, to validate the
effectiveness of these practices in vitro and in vivo.