Integrated cost-benefit analysis of tsetse control and herd productivity to inform control programs for animal African trypanosomiasis

Abstract

BackgroundAnimal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) and its tsetse vector are responsible for annual losses estimated in billions of US dollars ($). Recent years have seen the implementation of a series of multinational interventions. However, actors of AAT control face complex resource allocation decisions due to the geographical range of AAT, diversity of ecological and livestock systems, and range of control methods available.MethodsThe study presented here integrates an existing tsetse abundance model with a bio-economic herd model that captures local production characteristics as well as heterogeneities in AAT incidence and breed. These models were used to predict the impact of tsetse elimination on the net value of cattle production in the districts of Mambwe, in Zambia, and Faro et Déo in Cameroon. The net value of cattle production under the current situation was used as a baseline, and compared with alternative publicly funded control programmes. In Zambia, the current baseline is AAT control implemented privately by cattle owners (Scenario Z0). In Cameroon, the baseline (Scenario C0) is a small-scale publicly funded tsetse control programme and privately funded control at farm level. The model was run for 10 years, using a discount rate of 5%.ResultsCompared to Scenario C0, benefit-cost ratios (BCR) of 4.5 (4.4–4.7) for Scenario C1 (tsetse suppression using insecticide treatment of cattle (ITC) and traps + maintenance with ITC barrier), and 3.8 (3.6–4.0) for Scenario C2 (tsetse suppression using ITC and traps + maintenance with barrier of targets), were estimated in Cameroon. For Zambia, the benefit-cost ratio calculated for Scenarios Z1 (targets, ITC barrier), Z2 (targets, barrier traps), Z3 (aerial spraying, ITC barrier), and Z4 (aerial spraying, barrier traps) were 2.3 (1.8 - 2.7), 2.0 (1.6-2.4), 2.8 (2.3–3.3) and 2.5 (2.0–2.9), respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that the profitability of the projects is relatively resistant to variations in the costs of the interventions and their technical efficiency.ConclusionsIt is envisioned that the methodologies presented here will be useful for the evaluation and design of existing and future control programmes, ensuring they have tangible benefits in the communities they are targeting.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2679-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Identification of Candidate Signature Genes and Key Regulators Associated With Trypanotolerance in the Sheko Breed

“…AAT severely affects the draft power as well as meat and milk production of the animals (Chanie et al, 2013). Therefore, AAT is considered as a major challenge constraining the path toward ensuring food security and combating poverty in this region (Meyer et al, 2018).…”

Insights into the Control and Management of Human and Bovine African Trypanosomiasis in Zambia between 2009 and 2019—A Review

“…Despite Zambia having had three major African trypanosomiasis control programmes (aerial spraying, insecticide treated targets and trypanocide drug use), the country has recorded several disease re-occurrences in areas where control was once undertaken. New cases are being reported in new areas while some old foci are disappearing [ 27 , 28 ]. Despite the evidence of the occurrence of African trypanosomiasis in both humans and livestock and the challenges faced by communities living in tsetse-infested areas, there is no One Health approach to control the disease [ 2 , 16 , 26 ].…”

“…Knowledge of HAT management among health workers is unsatisfactory [ 24 ]. A wide diversity of control programmes are available but lack government support [ 15 , 24 , 25 , 28 ]. Stakeholders in Zambia have competing views and beliefs regarding tsetse and African trypanosomiasis control, which is critical in developing a One Health approach for the control in both HAT and AAT.…”

“… Accuracy of AAT incidence using parasitological diagnosis stresses need for more sensitive diagnostic tools to improve field diagnosis. (Mwanakasale and Songolo, 2011) [ 28 ] -To identify districts in Zambia that were still reporting cases of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). -To compare the occurrence of HAT cases before and after year 2000.…”

Controlling Human And Animal African Trypanosomiasis Using Insecticide Treated Cattle: What Are The Costs And Benefits?

“…Similar protocols were implemented in study sites in eight countries, combining the monitoring of cattle, sheep and goats for trypanosomiasis alongside the collection of livestock productivity data, including milk yields [22]. Productivity data from various studies has been used to model the economic impact of AAT and its control in different contexts [23], [24], [25]. Field studies, except for the ATLN studies, have largely been cross-sectional and under-powered with relatively small sample sizes.…”