Haematophagous flies, haemoparasites and ecological variables impinging livestock health in three private farms within southern parts of Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

A spot check for animal trypanosomosis was conducted in three farms; two from Kiru and one from Bunkure Local Government Areas of Kano State, within the Sudano-Sahelian Ecological Zone in North West of Nigeria. The study was sequel to suspected outbreak of trypanosomosis and biting flies menace in the farms. Severe emaciation and low grade mortalities (often sudden) among the herds were reported. Blood samples were collected from emaciated cattle (n=70) from the study population (n=241) and examined for presence of trypanosomes using the buffy coat technique. Babesia and Anaplasma were analyzed by microscopic examination of thin blood smear fixed in absolute methanol and stained with 10% Giemsa solution. Twenty two samples (30%) were found to have different species of haemoparasites; Trypanosoma theileri (n=2), Anaplasma marginale (n=13) and Babesia bovis (n=7). The mean packed cell volume (PCV) was 25±% with a range between 16-41%; Farm-1 in Kiru and Farm-3 in Bunkure had the lowest and highest values, respectively. It was obvious that ticks infestation posed health and livestock production challenges to the study farms. The likelihood that mechanical transmission of trypanosomosis can be facilitated stemmed from migrating nomadic herds interaction with farm cattle during grazing and presence of biting fly population. The huge negative economic impact of haemoparasites; babesiosis and anaplasmosis to livestock within tsetse free area remains a big challenge. Combining vector (biting flies), haemoparasites and ectoparasites (ticks) control strategy using berenil and chlortetracycline appeared to be highly cost effective and efficient when administered to all animals.