Authors : Mintesnot Tsegaye, Tafese Hailemariam, Kumela Lelisa and Behablom Meharenet
Abstract: African animal trypanosomosis is among the most serious livestock diseases alleviating food sufficiency in Sub-Saharan Africa. Accurate information related to the prevalence, vectors distributions and densities have of great importance in designing the appropriate control and interventions strategies to combat trypanosomosis and its vectors. This study aimed to generate a base line data to implement the trypanosomosis and tsetse control operations. A cross-sectional involved dark phase ground buffy coat technique and deployments of baited traps was conducted from November 2014 to March 2015 in Asosa and Bambasi districts of Asosa Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia. Positive samples were stained by Giemsa’s in thin blood smears, fixed with methanol for 5 min and examined under oil immersion using 100× objectives to identify the species of trypanosomes. Glossina morsitans submorsitans was the only caught tsetse fly species with an apparent density of 5.77 fly/trap/day. Among 42 G. m. submorsitans dissected, five (11.90%) were found to harbor T. congolense (9.52%) and T. vivax (2.38%). The prevalence of trypanosomosis was significantly higher in cattle (8.55%) than in donkeys (2.35%), goats (1.68%) and sheep (0.00%). In all infected study animals, T. congolense was the dominant trypanosome species (97.32%); T. vivax accounts 2.68% of the total infections. The mean PCV in trypanosome-infected animals was lower than in uninfected ones. African animal trypanosomosis is an important threat to animal health in the studied area and is not only a disease of concern in cattle but also in goats and donkeys. To this end, sustained interventions of trypanosomosis and its vectors, considering the epidemiological importance of cattle, small ruminants and equines is a prerequisite for the enhancement of livestock production in the areas where tsetse fly and trypanosomosis is prevalent.
Mintesnot Tsegaye, Tafese Hailemariam, Kumela Lelisa and Behablom Meharenet, 2020. Epidemiology of Trypanosomosis in Domestic Ruminants and Donkeys in Asosa Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia: Prevalence and Vectors Involved. Veterinary Research, 13: 62-68.