Camel trypanosomosis due to Trypanosoma evansi (Steel 1X85), Balbiani 1888, in Mauritania : Results of surveys in the Trarza region

Abstract

A first survey concerning camel trypanosomosis due to Trypanosoma evansi was carried out in the Trarza region (south-western Mauritania). Blood smears were made from 218 animals and 160 were submitted to an indirect immunofluorescence test. Young calves below one year old seem to be free of T. evansi infection, while in dairy females, average rates of infection of 7.3 % (blood smears) and 24.5 % (serological results) were found. The type of herd management seems to be an important risk factor: the herds that frequent, even temporarily, the wooded areas of the Senegal river valley or permanent water collections (R’kiz lake) show the highest infection rates. Recommendations are presented to camel rearing owners, especially those with dairy camel herds in the South of the country.