Prevalence of trypanasomosis among the zebu cattle in Mulanda sub-county, Tororo district.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Mulanda Sub County; Tororo district in Eastern Uganda in the month of April in the year 2013, to assess the prevalence of trypanosomosis which is a zoonotic vector borne disease that affects livestock as well as humans and is caused by haemoparasites called trypanosomes. The studyconsidered two species that is T. congolenseeivs, T vivax. The data was collected from 300 animals in the Sub County taking 100 animals from each of the 3 parishes (Mulanda parish, Mwelo parish and Lwala parish) Trypanosomes were detected in whole blood by micro-haemotocrit centrifugation and microscopic examination of thin blood smear films was used for trypanosome species identification. Animal age groups of 6 months to 3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years and above 9 years were considered. The results show an overall prevalence of trypanosome infection is 5% with the highest prevalence observed in animals aged 7-9 years. It can be concluded that the prevalence of T.vivax was higher than that of T. Congolense and also there was no significance of the prevalence trypanosome infection with the age, parishes but there is significance with the PCV. Hence it can be recommended that the fanners should continue using long acting drugs for treating the animals, government should enforce frequent mass treatment in the area and also the government should train the farmers on the prevention measures of trypanosomes as well as their vectors.