Prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis in zebu cattle in Labongo Akwang sub county Kitgum district.

Abstract

Bovine trypanosomosis is one of the major threats to the cattle productivity in Kitgum district, Akwang Sub County. However, treatments and controls of the disease had been done without determining the prevalence of trypanosomosis in the animals. A cross sectional study was conducted in Akwang Sub County, Kitgurn district, Uganda to determine prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis among-zebu cattle. The study was done from the months of February to April 2014. Blood samples were collected from112 randomly selected zebu breed of cattle in three parishes (Lamit parish, Pajimo parish and Lugwar parish) of Akwang Sub County. A total of 48, 44 and 20 Zebu cattle were examined from Lamit, Pajimo and Lugwar parish respectively. Giemsa stained thin blood smear examination technique was used for parasite detection and identification. The overall prevalence was 16.96% (19/112). The prevalence, in Lamit, Pajimo and Lugwar parish were 27.08%, 11.36% and, 5.00% respectively with statistical significant difference (P<0.05) (X2=6.501, P=0.0387) among them. The statistical analysis revealed that no significant difference(P> 0.05) (X2=0.025, P=O.874) in prevalence was found between male (16.32%) and female (17.46%) animals. The prevalence was (14.705%) and (17.948%)in young and mature cattle, respectively with no significant difference (P>0.05) (X=O .177, p=O,673) between them. According to this study it showed that trypanosornosis is the major threat for livestock production in the study area. The overall prevalence of 16.96% bovine trypanosornosis recorded in the present study is a sign that the disease is a threatening factor to cattle production in the study area. The prevalence of bovine trypanosornosis was higher in female than in males and higher in mature cattle than in the younger ones. Research heeds to be carried to confirm why the prevalence rate was low in young and male animals unlike in the mature and the female zebu cattle. Generally, more research should be provided to both the disease vector and disease Creation of awareness to the cattle keepers especially on the disease effects on livestock productivity and the methods of control shall be very important in the studied area.