Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis and Its Vector Density in Tembro District, South Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Cross-sectional study was carried out on 554 randomly selected cattle from November 2011 to April 2012 in Tembaro District of Southern Nation Nationalities and Regional State (SNNPR). The objectives were to determine the prevalence and identify different species of trypanosomes affecting cattle in the area known to be infested with tsetse flies with the methods of Buffy coat examination, questionnaire survey and entomological characterization. Based on these methods the prevalence of the study was 52/554 (9.39%) and the disease was statistically significant among body condition scoring (BCS) (x 2 = 7.11; P= 0.03); origins of animals (x 2 =13. 74; P= 0.019) but the opposite scenario were observed between sexes and age groups which means not significant (p> 0.05). However, higher prevalence was revealed in adult animals. The most common trypanosome species identified were Trypanasoma congolense (42/52, 81%) followed by T. vivax (8/52, 15%), mixed (T. congulence+T. vivax) (2/52, 4%). The mean packed cell volume values recorded were 23.38±1 in parasitaemic and 25.3±0.27 in aparasitaemic animals with a statistical significant difference (P<0.05). Based on the questionnaire survey trypanosomosis locally known as ‘Shulula’ and it was identified as primary cattle health problem. Among the respondents 65% of them associated the disease with early dry and late wet seasons. From the asked farmers, 80% know tsetse flies however they do not associate the fly to trypanosomosis transmission. Regarding entomology results a total of 271 flies were collected, 62 were G. pallidipes and 4 stomoxys. In conclusion, trypanosomosis is prevalent in the study area which could affect livestock production and productivity. Therefore, tremendous attention should be given to control both the infection and its vectors.