Abstract
This paper presents analysis of a cost effective methodology using remotely sensed data analysed within a geographical systems (GIS) environment for mapping out potential habitats of anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis in northern Nigeria. These geographical locations are areas with high population of livestock in Nigeria. Animal Trypanosomiasis is considered as an arthropod-borne viral disease which is endemic in about 37 countries of the sub-Saharan Africa and in particular northern Nigeria. This anthropod-borne viral disease remains a threat to both humans and livestock in many communities, and the outbreak of such diseases is shown to relate to fluctuations in the changing climate mostly experienced whenever there are changes in global precipitation which also relates to changes in sea surface temperatures otherwise known as “El Niňo Southern Oscillations” (ENSO). Monthly Satellite imageries in the form of Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at 250 meters spatial resolution obtained from NASA-MODIS/CMD were subjected to principal component analysis utilizing the standardized principal components within a GIS environment and supplemented with Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data in the analysis. Results from the maps showed that pockets of probable habitats of these anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis mostly located around forest islands characterized by dry woodland and savanna, and in some cases around gallery forests and few lowland and riverine areas. This study provides baseline information for policy makers in Nigeria and other stakeholders as a cost effective measure for mapping potential habitats for anthropod vectors responsible for trypanosomiasis in Northern Nigeria. Further studies are encouraged so as to clearly understand the magnitude and actual locations of the habitat of this vector and find ways of targeting their locations for minimizing or even eradicating these vectors.
Highlights
Satellite imageries in the form of Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at 250 meters spatial resolution obtained from National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA)-Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS)/Climate Modelling Grid (CMD) were subjected to principal component analysis utilizing the standardized principal components within a geographical systems (GIS) environment and supplemented with Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data in the analysis
The resulting component 2 to 4 images from the principal component analysis (PCA) analysis of this NDVI time-series dataset suggest that there are some environmental implications resulting from breeding habitats for vector-borne diseases as a result of global change and climatic variability which correlates with studies conducted by Matzke, 1983; Anene et al, 1991; Hay et al, 1997; Kalu, 1995; 1996; Patz et al, 2000 and Ameh et al, 2000
A look at the loading graphs of these components and the digital elevation model overlaid on them to supplement the analysis indicate that the areas that are vulnerable are those slightly above 1000 metes above mean sea level around montane areas of plateau and Adamawa States
Summary
According to factsheet of the FAO in Nigeria (2020), the disease is endemic in about 37 countries of the sub-Saharan Africa, and tsetse flies are said to be the natural vectors of African trypanosomiasis which remains a threat to both humans and livestock in many rural communities. This disease which is infectious, is usually progressive and fatal if untreated, and, the vaccine production has not been successful (ILRAD, 1993). Countries such as Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad including Nigeria reported fewer than 100 new cases per year
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