Evaluation of Bovine trypanosomosis intervention in Chunya District, Tanzania

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.

Key words: Trypanosomosis, tsetse control, targets, traps, trypanocides