Abstract
A cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the species diversity of fly vectors and estimating the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was carried out from October 2009 to May 2010 in selected settlement areas of the Hawa-Gelan district in the western Wollega zone of Ethiopia. Standard methods of sampling and identification were employed for both entomological and parasitological examination. Three species of the genus Glossina (Glossina pallidipes, Glossina morsitans submorsitans and Glossina fuscipes) and two genera of biting flies (Stomoxys and Tabanus) were caught and identified. The overall apparent density of Glossina species caught was 10.5 flies per trap per day, with a higher proportion of female flies (57.2%). Out of a total 389 cattle examined, 42 (10.8%; 95% CI: 7.89% - 14.3%) were found infected with trypanosomes. Three trypanosome species were detected in the study area, namely Trypanosoma congolense (54.8%), Trypanosoma brucei (23.8%) and Trypanosoma vivax (21.4%). The prevalence of trypanosomosis was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in cattle with poor body condition. There was an association between mean packed cell volume (PCV) and the occurrence of parasitaemia (χ2 = 49.5, p < 0.05). About 95.2% of cattle that were positive for trypanosomes had a PCV less than the lower limit for cattle. Considering the current result, bovine trypanosomosis seems to be a serious constraint for agricultural activities in the settlement areas of the Hawa-Gelan district and seems to be associated with the presence of Glossina species. Therefore, application of control methods through community involvement to reduce the Glossina species infestation level is likely to increase animal productivity.
Highlights
Agriculture is the mainstay of the Ethiopian economy
Trypanosomosis is a major constraint in the health and productivity of livestock and agricultural production in Ethiopia in general (Ministry of Agriculture [MOA] 1995)
G. pallidipes and G. fuscipes were the species of Glossina caught during the period (Figure 2)
Summary
Agriculture is the mainstay of the Ethiopian economy. A large part of the agricultural system is not mechanised, so livestock play a crucial role in agricultural production both directly as food sources and as a source of traction power. Annual losses to the national economy are estimated to exceed $200 million because of mortality and morbidity of livestock, denied access to land resources and the costs of controlling this disease (Taye et al 2012; Vreysen et al 1999). 220 000 km of otherwise agriculturally productive land in the western and south-western part of the country (MOA 1995) is estimated to be infested by five different species of tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans submorsitans, Glossina pallidipes, Glossina tachinoides, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and Glossina longipennis) (Abebe 2005). Of the species of trypanosomes recorded in Ethiopia, the most important trypanosomes in terms of economic loss in domestic livestock are the tsetse-transmitted species Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma brucei (Abebe 2005). About 14.8 million cattle, 6.1 million sheep and goats, 1 million camels and 1.2 million equines live in endemic areas (MOA 1995)
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