Prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis in Dara District Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted in five selected peasant Associations of Dara Woreda of Southern Ethiopia from October, 2013 to June, 2014 to estimate the prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis and to identify the prevalent trypanosome species, and the risk factors of the disease. Blood samples were collected from the ear vein of randomly selected 384 cattle. Thin blood smear and buffy coat techniques are employed to detect the presence of the parasite and the PCV was measured to evaluate the anemic condition of the animals. Out of the total number of cattle examined, 57 were found to be positive for Trypanosomiasis giving the overall prevalence of 14.8%, out of which 47.6% Trypanosoma congolense, 33.3% Trypanosoma vivax, 9.5% Trypanosoma brucei and 9.5% mixed infection (Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax) were identified. The maximum prevalence 28.4% was observed in Safa followed by Adame, Odola, Machisho and Kumato with the prevalence of 19.8, 11.5, 10.1 and 4.9%, respectively. Animals were grouped into three age categories, calves 3 years with the prevalence of 4.2, 8.5 and 20.5% respectively. Based on the body condition score, the prevalence of 8, 13 and 25.2% was recorded in good, medium and poor conditioned animals, and it was higher in females 15.7% than males 12.4%. The statistical analysis showed a significant association in the variation of age categories, body condition and among peasant associations (p<0.05). The result also showed a significant difference in packed cell volume (PCV) values between infected and non-infected cattle. In conclusion, the study showed that disease was higher in the area and had significant effect on the body condition and development of anemia. Therefore, the responsible organizations and the community should work on the control and prevention activities of the disease in environmental friendly manner. Key words: Cattle, Dara, prevalence, trypanosoma, trypanosomiasis