Abstract
Camel trypanosomosis (surra), caused by Trypanosoma evansi , is a life-threatening disease with negative impacts on health, production, and working efficiency of camels in different camel-rearing areas of the world, including Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2016 to May 2017 to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosomosis (surra) and assess the associated potential risk factors in Dubti and Asayita districts of Afar region, Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 200 camels. Wet film and Giemsa-stained blood smears were used for the detection of trypanosomes. Out of 200 examined, 9(4.5%) were positive for Trypanosoma evansi. The higher prevalence of the disease was observed in Dubti (6.97%) than in Asayita (2.63%) districts. Highest infection was observed in the age group >4 years old camels (7.47%), followed by <4 years old camels (1.07%). Previously aborted camels were found at higher risk (P=0.03; OR = 5.11, 95% CI = 1.174–22.317) than camels without an abortion history. There was no statistically significant difference in between body condition categories and herd size of camels with the occurrence of the disease (X2 = 3.839; P=0.147 and X2 = 0.718; P=0.698), respectively. The result of the current study revealed that camel trypanosomosis is substantially prevalent in the study area, indicating the need for designing control and prevention strategies.
Highlights
Camel trypanosomosis continues to be a significant problem in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia [7]
Known as Surra caused by Trypanosoma evansi, is the most important and serious pathogenic protozoan disease of the camel. is is transmitted mechanically by haematophagous biting flies, especially tabanids [8]
The disease induces anaemia, fever, depression, dullness, weakness, and nervous symptoms and are responsible for major economic losses in terms of poor production and sometimes abortion or death in case of no treatment [12]. It may occur in both acute and chronic forms; the acute form of the disease is usually fatal within a few weeks, but the chronic form lasts for years and is associated with a secondary infection [13]
Summary
Received 8 March 2020; Revised 3 June 2020; Accepted 4 June 2020; Published 27 August 2020. The disease induces anaemia, fever, depression, dullness, weakness, and nervous symptoms and are responsible for major economic losses in terms of poor production (milk, meat, fertility, draught power, and manure) and sometimes abortion or death in case of no treatment [12]. It may occur in both acute and chronic forms; the acute form of the disease is usually fatal within a few weeks, but the chronic form lasts for years and is associated with a secondary infection [13]. There is no welldocumented information about camel trypanosomiasis and associated risk factors in Afar regional state, northern Ethiopia, in this study area. e current study was designed to fulfil this gap in the country and, in particular, in the study area with the objectives of determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of camel trypanosomiasis
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