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Factors associated with persistence of African animal trypanosomiasis in Lango subregion, northern Uganda

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Abstract

African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) continues to inflict heavy losses on livestock production especially cattle in terms of decreased production and productivity in Uganda. AAT is a disease complex caused by tsetse fly-transmitted Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma congolense, and Trypanosoma vivax. The disease is most important in cattle but also known to cause serious losses in pigs, camels, goats, and sheep. Several control measures including live bait technology, mass treatment of cattle with trypanocidal drugs, and deployment of tsetse traps have been used in the past 10 years, but the problem still persists in some areas. This necessitated an exploration of the factors associated with continued trypanosome infections in cattle, which are also known reservoirs for the zoonotic trypanosomiasis. A structured questionnaire was administered to 286 animal owners from 20 villages purposively selected from Lira, Kole, and Alebtong districts of Lango subregion to obtain information on the factors associated with persistence of infection. Over 50% of the respondents reported trypanosomiasis as a major challenge to their livestock. Land ownership (P = 0.029), type of livestock kept (P = 0.000), disease control strategy employed (P = 0.000), source of drugs (P = 0.046), and drug preparation (P = 0.017) were associated with persistent AAT infection. We recommend continued farmer sensitization on the threat of AAT and the available prevention and control options. The use of isometamidium chloride for prophylaxis against trypanosomiasis is highly recommended. There is also a need to foster qualified private veterinary drug supply in the region.

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Abbreviations

AAT:

African animal trypanosomiasis

COCTU:

Coordinating Office for the Control of Trypanosomiasis in Uganda

TIBA:

Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa

UBOS:

Uganda Bureau of Statistics, T.vivax, Trypanosoma vivax; T.congolense, Trypanosoma congolense

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Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the contribution made by the following towards this study, the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA), the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Coordinating Office for Control of Trypanosomiasis in Uganda (COCTU), and the Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council (UTCC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coordinating Office for Control of Trypanosomiasis in Uganda, Plot 78 Buganda Road, P.O Box 16345, Kampala, Uganda

    Robert Mandela Wangoola & Charles Waiswa

  2. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Bardosh Kevin

  3. Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 4SB, UK

    Christine Among Acup & Susan Welburn

  4. National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), P.O. Box 5704, Wakiso, Uganda

    James Bugeza

Authors
  1. Robert Mandela Wangoola
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  2. Bardosh Kevin
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  3. Christine Among Acup
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  4. Susan Welburn
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  5. Charles Waiswa
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  6. James Bugeza
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Correspondence to James Bugeza.

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Wangoola, R.M., Kevin, B., Acup, C.A. et al. Factors associated with persistence of African animal trypanosomiasis in Lango subregion, northern Uganda. Trop Anim Health Prod 51, 2011–2018 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-01900-7

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