Prevalence and vector distributions of bovine trypanosomosis in control (Sibu Sire) and noncontrol (Guto Gida) districts bordering upper Anger valley of East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2008 to March 2009 in two districts where tsetse control implemented (Sibu Sire district) and non-control implemented (Guto Gida district) bordering Anger river valley in East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and to assess the distribution and apparent densities of vectors of the trypanosomosis. A parasitological study using buffy coat technique was employed for the determination of prevalence of trypanosomosis while monoconical traps were used for the vector studies. A total of 368 cattle randomly selected from the study population (166 in Sibu Sire and 202 in Guto Gida) districts were examined for the parasitological study. The result of parasitological study revealed that the prevalence of trypanosomosis was found to be 5.42% and 11.88% in Sibu Sire and Guto Gida districts, respectively. There was statistically significant difference in the prevalence of trypanosomosis between tsetse control implemented and non-control implemented districts (p<0.05). The overall trypanosome prevalence for both districts was found to be 9% (33/368). From the infected animals the prevalence for trypanosome species was 63.6% and 36% for T. vivax and T. congolense, respectively. The mean PCV values of parasitaemic and aparasitaemic animals were 23%+3.7SD and 26+3.9SD, respectively with a statistical significant difference (P<0.05). About 28 monoconical traps, 12 in Sibu Sire and 16 in Guto Gida districts were deployed for 72 hours with odour attractants for the vector studies. A total of 1478 flies were collected from both sites of which the highest fly density was Glossina tachinoides (6.8 fly/trap/day) and followed by Stomoxys (5.8 fly/trap/day) and others (0.8 fly/trap/day). There was significantly higher density of tsetse 8.4 fly/trap/day in non-control (Guto Gida) district than the control (Sibu Sire) district 0.2 fly/trap/day (P<0.05). Therefore implementing control of trypanosomosis with an integrated approach have paramount importance in non control areas of the study site.