Trypanomosis in Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Delo-Mena District, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Across sectional study was carried to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosomiasis (surra) in Delo-Mena district, Bale Zone, Oromia region, southwestern Ethiopia from September to December 2004. Blood samples were collected from randomly selected 395 camels. Wet film and Giemsa-stained blood smears were used for the detection of trypanosomes. Among these, 72 (18.22%) samples were positive for Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi), the only Trypanosoma species identified. A higher infection was found in males (20.25%) as compared to females (17.72%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in prevalence between sex categories (p >0.05). Highest 27.63% infection was noted in age group > 4 years, followed by 14.54 and 10.52% in 1 to 3 years and 3 to 4 years old camels, respectively. There was statistical significant difference (p <0.05) in susceptibility among age groups. These results seem to indicate that T. evansi infection has a relatively low prevalence in the study area. There is a need of further study on the distribution and seasonality of the disease and its vectors in order to establish control measures in affected herds and avoid dissemination of the disease.