Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Assosa District of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2013 up to April 2014 to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in Assosa district of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 310 cattle were randomly selected and parasitological and hematological examinations were carried out using Buffy Coat Technique. The packed cell volume (PCV) value of each animal was also measured using haematocrit reader. The overall prevalence of trypanosomosis in the study area was 80(25.8%). Out of positively detected cattle 47(58.75%) were positive for Trypanosoma congolese, 16(20%) for Trypanosoma vivax, 8(10%) for Trypanosoma brucei and 9 (11.25%) for mixed infection. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) value recorded was 17.72±3.356 in Trypanosoma positive animals and 27.22±2.748 for animals confirmed Trypanosoma negative animals which were statistically significant (P<0.05). The study also demonstrated variations in prevalence among different age groups and different body condition scores which were statistically significant (P<0.05), however in sex statistically non-significant difference observed (P>0.05). The presents study revealed a moderate prevalence in the study area and a vigorous disease mitigation strategy is warranted owing to the economic importance of the disease