Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out with aimed at determining the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and apparent tsetse density in two selected villages of Arba Minch Woreda, from November, 2009 to April, 2010. Blood samples were collected from 384 randomly selected cattle to detect the prevalence of trypanosomes using buffy coat method. The overall infection rate 4.43% (N=17) was recorded. The cattle are invariably infected with different species of trypanosome parasite and among these Trypanosoma congolense is the commonest (82.35%) followed by co-infection of Trypanosoma viviax and T. congolense (11.76%), and T. vivax (5.88%). This study showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in trypanosomosis infection rate among poor, medium and good body condition animals. Poor body condition animals were highly affected compared to medium and good body condition. The mean PCV value of parasitemic and aparasitaemic animals was recorded as 20.94 and 23.55%, respectively. In each study area, entomological surveys were conducted using NGU trap and it indicated that G. pallidipes were the only tsetse fly species caught in the study area along with other biting flies like stomoxys and tabanus. Apparent tsetse flies density of 0.312 and 29.624 flies/trap/day were recorded in Fura and Eligo villages, respectively and the overall apparent density of tsetse flies in the study area was 14.97 flies/trap/day. Due to its impact on livestock production, emphasis should be given for the control and prevention of trypanosomosis infection and its vectors.

Key words: Bovine trypanosomosis, prevalence, NGU trap, Tsetse fly, Southern Ethiopia.