ABSTRACT
In most cases the animal health component of a project was left to the local authorities and was rarely considered a variable or researchable subject. Slaughterhouse surveys, especially for the smaller slaughterslabs, provide a general picture of the health status of slaughter animals. As many of the animals slaughtered in smaller slaughterslabs or at home are considered emergency-slaughter cases it may be useful to determine the reason for slaughter by interview and clinical diagnosis. Change in political priorities and inept vision of the veterinary authorities have allowed a decline of the vaccination effort; rinderpest and some other major diseases have reached epidemic proportions again, killing thousands of animals. Stress, including social stress, may have a considerable influence on the function of the immune system making the animal more susceptible to infection. Animal health issue is especially important in African livestock which tolerate many diseases by carrying a low level infection sufficient to maintain immunity.
