A parasitological survey for bovine trypanosomosis in the livestockwildlife ecozone of Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Aim: Tsetse-transmitted animal and human trypanosomosis is considered to be one of the major constraints to improved livestock and agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa. A cross sectional survey to determine the prevalence of trypanosomosis and identifying trypanosome species infecting cattle was conducted in Makuyuni division, Arusha region of northern Tanzania, an area where livestock and wildlife graze together. Materials and methods: A total of 239 indigenous Tanzania short horn zebu cattle at four different villages, and of different ages and sex, were randomly selected and sampled. Field examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin blood smears was undertaken.