Abstract
Trypanosomosis is a parasitic disease that causes serious economic losses in livestock, especially in sub-Saharan countries. This study was conducted from October 2010 to March 2011 in the Diga and Sasiga districts of the East Wollega zone in western Ethiopia to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and its vectors. A total of 386 blood samples were collected from randomly selected animals. Packed cell volume (PCV) was determined and samples were examined for the presence of trypanosomes using the buffy coat technique. Out of 386 blood samples, 8.55% tested positive for trypanosomes. The majority of the infections were caused by Trypanosoma congolense (72.73%), followed by Trypanosoma vivax (27.27%). There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between districts, altitudes, sexes and ages, but the prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cattle which were in poor body condition. The mean PCV value of infected animals (21.45 ± 3.62 s.d.) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of non-infected animals (26.60 ± 4.60 s.d.). A total of 1151 flies were caught by deploying 21 monoconical shaped traps. Of these flies, 822 (71.42%) were Glossina, whilst the remaining flies were either Stomoxys (17.20%) or Tabanus (11.38%). The overall apparent densities of tsetse and biting flies were 1.45 and 0.58 flies per trap per day, respectively. In conclusion, this study confirmed that trypanosomes and their vectors are prevalent and still pose a threat to cattle production in the area. Therefore, proper strategies have to be designed and implemented to minimise their effect on livestock production.
Highlights
Trypanosomosis is the main haemoparasitic disease in domestic animals and is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in the Diga and Sasiga districts bordering Dhidhesa and Upper Anger river valley in the East Wollega zone of Ethiopia, as well as to identify vectors and their apparent density in the area
Trypanosoma congolense was the dominant species identified (72.73%) followed by T. vivax (27.27%)
Summary
The parasite is transmitted biologically by the tsetse fly (Glossina species) and infects animals over an area known as the ‘tsetse belt’, which extends approximately 10 million km across 37 countries in Africa, from the Sahara Desert in the North to South Africa in the south (Ilemobade 2009; Marquardt, Demaree & Grieue 2000; Parryet, Mabey & Gill 2004). Some trypanosome species such as Trypanosoma vivax can be transmitted by biting flies mechanically and can establish itself even outside the tsetse belt, placing an estimated 160 million cattle and 260 million sheep and goats at risk (Leak 1996). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in the Diga and Sasiga districts bordering Dhidhesa and Upper Anger river valley in the East Wollega zone of Ethiopia, as well as to identify vectors and their apparent density in the area
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