Observations on the epidemiology of ruminant trypanosomosis in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The epidemiology of ruminant trypanosomosis was investigated during a two- year period in Kano State, Nigeria. Prevalence was 5.3 ± 1.3 % (mean ± confidence interval), 1.2 ± 1.6 % and 0.7 ± 1.3 % in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was higher during the second year (6.1 %) than in the first (4.8 %). Infections doubled during the rains (7.6 %) in comparison with an average of 3.8 % during the dry season. The northern guinea vegetational zone recorded a high infection rate (Tudun- Wada local government area (LGA), 16.7 %). It was the only area in which tsetse flies (Glossina tachinoides) were encountered. Nevertheless, haematophagous flies were common in the sudan savanna; tabanids were ubiquitous. Trypanosoma vivax infected 3.0 % of bovine herds and was responsible for 57.6 % of all diagnosable cases. It is suggested that vector control in Tudun-Wada LGA and chemoprophylaxis may break the transmission cycle of ruminant trypanosomosis in the area.