CTTBD Muguga Cocktail vaccine protects against East Coast fever (ECF), a fatal tick-borne disease in cattle.

INDICATIONS

• Target Disease: East Coast fever (Theileria parva infection).
• Target Animal: Cattle (beef and dairy).
• Geographic Use: Primarily used in endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi, where the disease is prevalent.
• Method of Administration: The vaccine is administered via the “Infection and Treatment Method” (ITM). This involves injecting a live preparation of T. parva sporozoites (the “Muguga cocktail” of three different strains) and simultaneously. 
• Immunity: The vaccination is generally considered to induce lifelong immunity in cattle that survive the controlled infection.
• Usage Context: It is used as a control measure in areas where the brown ear tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus), which transmits the disease, is present. 

ADMINISTRATION

• Live Parasite Inoculation: A measured dose of live Theileria parva parasites (the cause of ECF) is injected under the skin, usually behind the ear.
• Antibiotic Treatment: At the same time, the animal receives a deep intramuscular injection of 30% oxytetracycline.
• Dosage: Animals are weighed to determine the correct antibiotic dose (e.g., 30 mg/kg).
• Controlled Infection: The antibiotic suppresses the disease, allowing the animal to develop immunity without severe illness, though some mild symptoms can occur.
• Professional Administration: Only trained veterinary professionals should administer this complex live vaccine, as improper dosing or using the wrong vaccine can be dangerous.
• Identification: Vaccinated animals receive an ECF ear tag.