A longitudinal survey of African animal trypanosomiasis in domestic cattle on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria: prevalence, distribution and risk factors

Abstract

BackgroundTrypanosomiasis is a widespread disease of livestock in Nigeria and a major constraint to the rural economy. The Jos Plateau, Nigeria was free from tsetse flies and the trypanosomes they transmit due to its high altitude and the absence of animal trypanosomiasis attracted large numbers of cattle-keeping pastoralists to inhabit the plateau. The Jos Plateau now plays a significant role in the national cattle industry, accommodating approximately 7% of the national herd and supporting 300,000 pastoralists and over one million cattle. However, during the past two decades tsetse flies have invaded the Jos Plateau and animal trypanosomiasis has become a significant problem for livestock keepers.MethodsIn 2008 a longitudinal two-stage cluster survey on the Jos Plateau. Cattle were sampled in the dry, early wet and late wet seasons. Parasite identification was undertaken using species-specific polymerase chain reactions to determine the prevalence and distribution bovine trypanosomiasis. Logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors for disease.ResultsThe prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma congolense savannah, Trypanosoma vivax) across the Jos Plateau was found to be high at 46.8% (39.0 – 54.5%) and significant, seasonal variation was observed between the dry season and the end of the wet season. T. b. brucei was observed at a prevalence of 3.2% (1% – 5.5%); T. congolense at 27.7% (21.8% - 33.6%) and T. vivax at 26.7% (18.2% - 35.3%). High individual variation was observed in trypanosomiasis prevalence between individual villages on the Plateau, ranging from 8.8% to 95.6%. Altitude was found to be a significant risk factor for trypanosomiasis whilst migration also influenced risk for animal trypanosomiasis.ConclusionsTrypanosomiasis is now endemic on the Jos Plateau showing high prevalence in cattle and is influenced by seasonality, altitude and migration practices. Attempts to successfully control animal trypanosomiasis on the Plateau will need to take into account the large variability in trypanosomiasis infection rates between villages, the influence of land use, and husbandry and management practices of the pastoralists, all of which affect the epidemiology of the disease.

African Animal Trypanosomosis in an Agrarian Settlement in Kaduna City, Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria

“…The results are similar to earlier reports in cattle 29.2% , 25.23% (Dauda et al, 2017),37.5% (Haruna et al, 2017) but differ from earlier reports in the region 9%in Lere (Abenga et al2004) or other parts of Northern Nigeria 3.8%in Benue (Enwezor et al, 2012) 6.2% in Gombe (Shamaki et al, 2009) and 19.9% -67.6% (at different times of the year, Majekodunmi et al, 2013). Animals presented also displayed clinical signs consistent with Animal Trypanosomiasis.…”

Pastoral livelihoods of the Fulani on the Jos Plateau of Nigeria

“…The area now holds over a million cattle and plays an important role in the national/regional cattle industry. However, beginning in 1982, there have been increasing reports of tsetse flies and African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) on the Plateau (Majekodunmi et al 2013a).…”

Factors affecting sustainable animal trypanosomosis control in parts of Kaduna State, Nigeria

“…Across sub-Saharan Africa, the direct impact on livestock productivity includes reduced meat and milk off take, decreased calving rate, increased both calf mortality rate and the cost of livestock management (Shaw, 2004;Mamoudou et al, 2009b; Chanie et al, 2013). One of the study areas, Lere Local Government Area (LGA) is flanked by the Jos Plateau previously regarded to be tsetse free but now confirmed by Majekodunmi et al, (2013) to have high prevalence of trypanosomiasis infection in cattle, which is influenced by seasonality, altitude and migration practices.…”