Evaluation of Bovine trypanosomosis intervention in Chunya District, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzania Veterinary Journal
Abstract
A study was conducted in Chunya District, Tanzania during December 2013 to assess the impact of
tsetse fly and trypanosomosis control programme based on use of targets and traps. The trypanosome
prevalence was determined by microscopic examination of thick and thin blood smears from 229
cattle selected randomly from 33 households. Additionally a semi-structured questionnaire was
administered to heads or representatives of selected households to collect information on cattle-
keepers’ knowledge on clinical features, transmission and control of trypanosomosis. Descriptive
analysis of the data was done to establish proportions of different attributes and association between
variables. Of 229 animals examined, six (2.6%) were positive for trypanosomes indicating significant
decrease from baseline level of 13.8% found in 2010 at the beginning of the programme. Two
trypanosome species, Trypanosoma vivax and T. congolense were identified in blood samples and
vectors collected from the study area were identified as Glossina spp, Tabanus spp and Haematopota
spp. Questionnaire results showed that burning of grasses (30.3%), theft of targets and traps (3.0%)
and lack of follow up from the programme authority (6.1%) were major constraints that faced the
programme. The study has shown a decline in prevalence of trypanosomosis which suggests that the
application of traps and screens had a significantr impact on the disease and this warrants a
recommendation of extending the trap and screen application technology to other similar tsetse infested areas of Tanzania.
Description
Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2015; 30 (1): 1-10
Keywords
Trypanosomosis, Tsetse control, Targets, Traps, Trypanocides