Seroepidemiological survey of cattle trypanosomiasis in coastal savanna zone of Ghana

Abstract

Animal trypanosomiasis causes severe losses in livestock production as a result of poor growth, weight loss, low milk yield, reduced capacity to work, infertility and abortion, even in cases of chronic low level infections (Trail et al., 1985; Anon., 1988). In Ghana, very few outbreaks of trypanosomiasis have been reported, although tsetse flies are present (Aryee et al., 1991). This has been attributed to the predominance of trypanotolerant breeds in the country. However, trypanosome infection among trypano-tolerant animals may result in poor health, which may lower their resistance to other diseases and parasites (ILCA, 1979b). There is evidence that in the face of increased tsetse challenge, the productivity of tolerant animals e.g., Ndama, falls as a result of stunting, wasting, abortion and death (Trail et al., 1984). Farmers in Ghana are increasingly showing a preference for zebu cattle and as these animals are introduced into high tsetse challenge areas, it is likely that trypanosomiasis will assume greater importance (Aryee et al., 1991). There are few reports of trypanosome infections in the Northern, Upper West, Ashanti, Western and Greater Accra Regions (Aryee et al., 1991) and none so far reported from Central Region, where the present study was conducted. The objective of the survey was to investigate the prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis in Winneba District in the Coastal Savanna Zone of Ghana to assess the importance of trypanosomiasis on livestock development in that area and also help in the formulation of any necessary control measures. Winneba district lies between longitudes 0°30 ' and 0°45'W and latitudes 5°15 ' and 5°40 ' N in Ghana. It is in humid coastal ecozone with a thicket and grassland type of vegetation. Four locations, namely Animal Breeding Station (AHPD) (Location I), Kojoku (Location II), Kasoa (Location III) and Domiebra (Location IV) were chosen, since they are important cattle rearing areas. The district has one of the highest concentrations of cattle in the coastal savanna zone of Ghana. In 1988, 86% of the cattle in Central Region were found here (Enchill, 1989). In location I, Sanga and West African short horn breeds predomi-