Prevalence, vector density and associated risk factors of caprine trypanosomosis: a cross-sectional study in Arbaminch, Southern Ethiopia.

Caprine trypanosomosis remains a neglected health constraint to goat production in Ethiopia. Despite studies conducted on caprine trypanosomosis in other areas of the country, limited information exists in and around Arbaminch area. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, vector density and risk factors of caprine trypanosomosis in and around Arbaminch town, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was employed from December 2024 to April 2025. Blood samples were collected from 384 randomly selected goats and examined using hematological and parasitological techniques, and entomological surveys were performed with 26 traps deployed across three sites. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to assess associations of infection with risk factors. The overall prevalence of caprine trypanosomosis was 7.55%, with Trypanosoma vivax (4.95%) and Trypanosoma congolense (3.65%) recorded as the causative species. Poor body condition, adult age, and black coat color were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with infection, while sex was not. Mean packed cell volume was lower in parasitaemic goats (20.52%) compared to aparasitaemic goats (28.61%). Entomological surveys identified Glossina pallidipes as the only tsetse species, with an apparent density of 8.3 flies per trap per day (FTD), alongside Stomoxys and Tabanus species. This finding indicates that caprine trypanosomosis constitutes a relevant health concern in Arbaminch, particularly when considered alongside the high density of tsetse vectors. Although the prevalence is moderate, it highlights the need for continued surveillance and targeted interventions to safeguard goat health and productivity in the region.