title: Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and its vectors in two districts of East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia.
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 &gt; 0.05) between districts, altitudes, sexes and ages, but the prevalence was significantly higher (p &lt; 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 &lt; 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.
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar. tbeyene11@gmail.com.
authors: Wagari
authors: W
authors: Tafese
authors: Achenef
authors: A
authors: Melaku
authors: Tewodros
authors: T
authors: Fentahun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004175:Diptera / Q000469:parasitology; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D014348:Trypanosoma congolense; D016689:Trypanosoma vivax; D014354:Trypanosomiasis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology*