Epidemiology of tsetse flies in the transmission of trypanosomiasis: technical review of The Gambia experience

Abstract

<jats:p>Climate change has posed serious health threats on both man and animals. This ranges from effects of progressive temperature rises from global warming to extreme weather events and anthropogenic activities and this has affected insect-vector distributions worldwide. Tsetse fly species transmit Trypanosomes but relative significance depends largely on the strength of their interactions with susceptible hosts. Tsetse flies are the main vectors of Trypanosomiasis and their existence pose a threat to the survival of cattle, small ruminates and equines in The Gambia. It is known to be one of the most vital parasitic diseases affecting livestock productivity in The Gambia and equines are very susceptible. Central River Region is mainly infested with the tsetse fly Glossina morsitan submorsitan a major vector of Trypanosomiasis among animals in the country and it is mainly found in dry, canopied, savannah woodland. Glossina palpalis is also present, but are more limited to riverine vegetation in the area. This work seeks to show the havoc caused by trypanosomiasis and the urgency for more studies to investigate the patterns of transmission of this disease especially in the context of climate change in other for a better control program for this zoonosis in The Gambia.Keywords: Climate Change, Glossina, Trypanosome, Cattle, Equine.</jats:p>

Seasonal comparison of vavoua, biconical and NGU traps for monitoring of Glossina (Diptera: Glossinidae) and Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) in The Gambia

“…This finding differs from earlier research conducted between 1989 and 1990. Glossina morsitan submorsitan was not found in the southern regions of The Gambia, according to previous research conducted by (Rawlings et al, 1993;Kargbo and Kuye, 2020). However, their presence in the southern part of The Gambia could be due to the changes in the climate conditions of those settlements.…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Livestock Owners and Livestock Assistants towards African Trypanosomiasis Control in The Gambia

“…A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2020 to January 2021 to assess and compare the KAP regarding AAT in The Gambia using a standardized questionnaire [ 11 , 16 ] and focus group discussion (FGD).…”

“…Zebu cattle are more productive in terms of meat and milk production, although more vulnerable to AAT than N'dama cattle, and they cannot survive for long in both the Central River Region (CRR) and Lower River Region (LRR), regions highly infested with tsetse flies [ 15 ]. HDTF has been more active in curing trypanosomiasis-related cases in livestock animals, especially in equids across the country [ 16 ]. Currently, there is no official AAT vector control program in The Gambia.…”

Diversity of Glossinidae (Diptera) species in The Gambia in relation to vegetation

“…In The Gambia, the Central River (CRR) and the Lower River (LRR) regions are primarily infested with the tsetse fly G. m. submorsitans, the primary vector of AAT in the country ( Kargbo & Kuye, 2020 ; Snow et al, 1996 ). The fly is mainly found in dry, canopied savannah woodland ( Kargbo & Kuye, 2020 ; Snow et al, 1996 ).…”

“…In The Gambia, the Central River (CRR) and the Lower River (LRR) regions are primarily infested with the tsetse fly G. m. submorsitans, the primary vector of AAT in the country ( Kargbo & Kuye, 2020 ; Snow et al, 1996 ). The fly is mainly found in dry, canopied savannah woodland ( Kargbo & Kuye, 2020 ; Snow et al, 1996 ). G. palpalis is also present, although more restricted to riverine vegetation, a region ranked as an area of low to moderate tsetse challenge ( Kargbo & Kuye, 2020 ).…”