Control of bovine trypanosomosis by restricted application of insecticides to cattle using footbaths.

African animal trypanosomoses are the main parasitological constraints to livestock production in many sub-Saharan African countries infested with tsetse flies. A prospective survey was implemented in Dafinso (Burkina Faso) to assess the effect of deltamethrin 0.005% (Vectocid(ND), CEVA Santé Animale) impregnation of cattle on trypanosomes transmission in cattle. Two herds were involved in the survey. They were watered at two different waterpoints located on the same river harboring a Guinean riparian forest infested with two different species of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae), Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank and G. tachinoides Westwood. Animals belonging to one of the herds were impregnated with deltamethrin applied with a footbath whereas the other herd was used as control. The overall incidence of cattle trypanosomoses was reduced (p=0.01) from 0.76 (control group) to 0.11 (footbath-treated group). A positive effect of the footbath treatment on packed-cell volume was observed (p<0.001). The conditions requested to use a footbath to prevent cattle trypanosomoses are discussed.