title: Observations on the epidemiology of ruminant trypanosomosis in Kano State, Nigeria.
abstract: The epidemiology of ruminant trypanosomosis was investigated during a two-year period in Kano State, Nigeria. Prevalence was 5.3 +/- 1.3% (mean +/- confidence interval), 1.2 +/- 1.6% and 0.7 +/- 1.3% in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was higher during the second year (6.1%) than in the first (4.8%). Infections doubled during the rains (7.6%) in comparison with an average of 3.8% during the dry season. The northern guinea vegetational zone recorded a high infection rate (Tudun-Wada local government area (LGA), 16.7%). It was the only area in which tsetse flies (Glossina tachinoides) were encountered. Nevertheless, haematophagous flies were common in the sudan savanna; tabanids were ubiquitous. Trypanosoma vivax infected 3.0% of bovine herds and was responsible for 57.6% of all diagnosable cases. It is suggested that vector control in Tudun-Wada LGA and chemoprophylaxis may break the transmission cycle of ruminant trypanosomosis in the area.
authors.affiliation: Department of veterinary public health and preventive medicine, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Kalu
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lawani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012418:Ruminants; D012621:Seasons; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*