The potential economic benefits of controlling trypanosomiasis using waterbuck repellent blend in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Trypanosomiasis is a significant productivity-limiting livestock disease in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to poverty and food insecurity. In this paper, we estimate the potential economic gains from adopting Waterbuck Repellent Blend (WRB). The WRB is a new technology that pushes trypanosomiasis-transmitting tsetse fly away from animals, improving animals’ health and increasing meat and milk productivity. We estimate the benefits of WRB on the production of meat and milk using the economic surplus approach. We obtained data from an expert elicitation survey, secondary and experimental sources. Our findings show that the adoption of WRB in 5 to 50% of the animal population would generate an economic surplus of US$ 78–869 million per annum for African 18 countries. The estimated benefit-cost ratio (9:1) further justifies an investment in WRB. The technology’s potential benefits are likely to be underestimated since our estimates did not include the indirect benefits of the technology adoption, such as the increase in the quantity and quality of animals’ draught power services and human and environmental health effects. These benefits suggest that investing in WRB can contribute to nutrition security and sustainable development goals.

Policy and Linkages in the Application of a One Health System for Reporting and Controlling African Trypanosomiasis and Other Zoonotic Diseases in Zambia

“…From the time of British colonial rule through independence to date, Zambia has used several approaches to try and combat trypanosomiasis. These include ground spraying, occasional use of sequential aerosol technique (SAT), the use of curative and prophylactic trypanocides, the use of odour baited targets, traps, and live baits [13,31,32]. Currently, in consideration of past lessons learnt and in adopting the approach of the African Union's Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (AU-PATTEC), Zambia has adopted the principle of an area-wide integrated pest management, which is based on interventions against trypanosomiasis [31].…”

Tractable Quinolone Hydrazides Exhibiting Sub‐Micromolar and Broad Spectrum Antitrypanosomal Activities

“…[27] Infection reduces the quality and quantity of beef, and beef products available to the community for consumption. [28] It also increases unemployment within the farming community, [29] and reduces crop production due to weakened ploughing animals. [27] Control of nagana involves killing tsetse flies with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) insecticide [30] and the cutting down of bushes, but these are not environmentally friendly.…”

A Structural Classification of the Variant Surface Glycoproteins of the African Trypanosome

“…The geographical range of the tsetse fly in Africa correlates to the distribution of human trypanosomiasis, which today covers a region of 8 million km 2 between 14 and 20 degrees latitude [4]. African trypanosomiasis has hampered Central Africa's economic progress due to its impact on both human and livestock populations [5,6].…”