Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Abeshige District of Gurage Zone, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to May 2015 in Abeshige district of Gurage Zone in Southwestern Ethiopia with the objectives of estimating the prevalence and identifying the species of trypanosomes. A total of 498 blood samples were collected and tested using conventional thin smear and buffy coat techniques. The result revealed an overall prevalence rate of 12.4% trypanosomosis. There were no significant difference in prevalence between animals of different location, age, sex and breed (p>0.05). The mean PCV of parasitemic animals (24.5%) was significantly lower than that of aparasitemic animals (29%) (p<0.05). The most commonly encountered trypanosome species among parasitemic cattle was T. congolense (67.7%) followed by T. vivax (29%) and mixed (T. congolense and T. vivax) (2.3%) infections. In conclusion, the result indicated trypanosomosis to be a major livestock production challenge in the study area that warrant control strategies.