The development of a new strategy for the sustainable control of bovine trypanosomosis in Southern Africa

Abstract

Previously, strategy formulation for large-scale eradication of tsetse in southern Africawas dominated by straightforward technical considerations. The current shift to localised control of tsetse-transmitted bovine trypanosomosis has changed the emphasis from the vector to the disease. Nagana remains the main reason for intervening but control methods will differ according to the local situation and interventions will be restricted to those areas where the disease is present. As a result, the technical criteria to be considered will differ substantially from those considered in the planning for large-scale eradication. First, a clear picture of the extent and magnitude of the bovine trypanosomosis problem is required. Second, the selection ofthe most efficient intervention methods will vary according to the local epidemiological situation. Hence, the different epidemiological situations need to be identified and the effectiveness of available control methods needs to be evaluated in each of the situations. Finally, the long-term sustainability of an intervention will depend, to a large extent, upon the socio-economic impact of the disease and perceived benefits accruing from its control. Tsetse-transmitted bovine trypanosomosis occurs in large areas of Malawi, Zambia,Zimbabwe and Namibia. The epidemiology of the disease differs substantially between areas. On the plateau of eastern Zambia, for example, cattle are kept in a tsetse infested area. Because of the encroachment of people and cattle into the tsetse infested area and the concomitant reduction in the number of game animals, tsetse have become highly dependent on cattle as their source of food. As a result, the distribution and density of tsetse is determined largely by the distribution and changes in the distribution or grazing pattern of cattle. Trypanosoma congolense is the main.trypanosome species in tsetse and cattle. The prevalence of congolense-type trypanosomal infections in tsetse undergoes little variations between months and is affected mainly by the average age of the tsetse population. The incidence of bovine trypanosomosis is significantly correlated with the density of the tsetse population.Bovine trypanosomosis is also prevalent in areas where cattle are kept adjacent to a tsetse-infested zone or where tsetse occasionally invade a tsetse-free area. In Malawi,for example, the main foci of bovine trypanosomosis are located adjacent to tsetse infested national parks, game reserves or forest reserves. Bovine trypanosomosis also occurs far outside the known tsetse foci because of the seasonal movement of tsetse,along rivers or because of, often small, undetected tsetse foci. Such foci have been detected in Malawi and in Zimbabwe. In most of the areas, bovine trypanosomosis is caused by T congolense. However, the prevalence of T vivax infections is high in areas where tsetse take a large proportion of feeds on game animals. Please read the full abstract in the section 00 front of this document.