Epidemiology of African animal trypanosomosis in cattle in Korhogo Department (Ivory Coast)

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the agropastoral zone of Kategue in Korhogo Department, Northern Ivory Coast, in order to understand better the epidemiology of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) in cattle. The study combined an entomological survey and a parasitological survey and was conducted during the rainy season from July to October 2015. For the entomological survey, Vavoua traps were set up in 30 sites with various biotopes. For the parasitological survey, 407 cattle were sampled based on stratified random sampling without distinction of breed, sex and age. The results showed the presence of a major AAT vector, the tsetse fly Glossina palpalis gambiensis, with an overall apparent density of 0.9 ± 3.0 tsetse per trap per day. Only one trypanosome species was identified, Trypanosoma vivax, with relatively low prevalences in both tsetse (11 ± 5%) and cattle (6 ± 2%). Given the severity of AAT in cattle, it is necessary to raise awareness among the breeders of Korhogo, the main cattle breeding area in Ivory Coast, for the control of AAT vectors and the rational use of trypanocides.