Prevalence of trypanosomiasis in sheep and goats in a region of northern Nigeria.

The prevalence of trypanosomosis was studied during April-June 1991, in sheep and goats kept peridomestically in Alkaleri and Gombe local Government areas of Bauchi State in Northern Nigeria. A total of 615 animals. consisting of 258 sheep and 357 goats were examined for trypanosome infection. Of this total, 19 (7.4%) sheep and 18 (5.0%) goats were positive giving a total infection rate of 37 (6.0%), 22 being positive with Trypanosoma vivax, 9 with T. congolense and 6 with T. brucei. In order to elucidate the most appropriate tool for surveying trypanosomosis in small ruminants under Nigerian field conditions, the sensitivity of four techniques currently in use for the parasitological diagnosis of trypanosomosis was investigated. The concentration methods: haematocrit centrifugation and buffy coat method, were more accurate than the standard trypanosome detection methods: wet film and thin film. Due to the prevalence of the disease, sheep and goats must be treated as well as cattle in the region.