Levantamento epidemiológico de plantas tóxicas do Sudoeste baiano

Abstract

The research was conducted in order to provide epidemiological data on the occurrence of toxic plants and livestock interest’s outbreaks of animals intoxicated by them in the Southwest region of the state of Bahia. An epidemiological survey on the presence of 42 toxic plants with proven toxic potential was made. Twenty-three municipalities in southwestern Bahia region were visited, from April to May 2014. During this period technical visits were performed by the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology staff totaling 84 interviews in different properties of rural municipalities, with an average of 3.6 interviews per city. 43 cases of poisoning have been reported in animal production by plants that have proven toxic potential. Most outbreaks reported by respondents occurred with rigid Amorimia, Pteridium aquilinum, Brachiaria spp, Ricinus communis, and Manihot spp Thiloa glaucocarpa. The results obtained in this study provided information on the current epidemiological situation of the presence of toxic plants in the region as well as the occurrences of outbreaks of poisoning by farm animals. Thereby enabling the diagnosis, identifying the cause and enabling the adoption of preventive measures reducing the possibility of new cases of poisoning of animals by toxic plants and avoid economic losses. The technical disclosure of the data contributes to the knowledge of professionals and farmers.