Common Fungal Diseases in Farm Animals

Fungal diseases are often caused by fungi that are common in the environment. Fungi are non-green plants that include microorganismsMicrobes are organisms that are too small to be seen without using a microscope. They include organisms like bacteria, archaea, and single-cell eukaryotes (organisms whose cells have a nucleus e.g. amoeba... More such as yeasts, moulds and mushrooms.

In animals, disease-causing fungi are mainly parasitic and reproduce by spore formation.

Common fungal diseases in farm animals include;

i) Ringworm (Dermatomycosis): 

Animal	Symptoms	Transmission	Prevention and Control
All farm animals e.g. cattle, sheep, goat, pigs.	• Skin irritation • Loss of appetite • Ring patches on the skin  • The skin has a powdery grey appearance • Itching is common with the disease	• Through direct contact • Use of infected utensils • Disinfected pen	• Apply sulphur mixture with iodine ointment  • Isolate infected animals • Disinfect materials which have come in contact with affected animals • Disinfect pen with 2% solution of formaldehyde.

ii) Aspergillosis:

Animal	Symptoms	Transmission	Prevention and Control
Respiratory system of poultry, pigs, and cattle.	• Skin irritation • Loss of weight • General weakness • Respiratory disorder (difficulty breathing)	Through: • the use of contaminated incubators and contaminated feed.  • air currents	• Moulding feed should be avoided • Good sanitation • Regular disinfection of equipment.

iii) Candidiasis: 

Animal	Symptoms	Transmission	Prevention and Control
Poultry	Itching or skin irritation.	Through contact with infected animals.	By the use of fungicides.