Epidemiology of Bovine Trypanosomiasis in Abe Dongoro District, Western Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bovine trypanosomosis is a major protozoan disease constraining cattle productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. This cross-sectional study is aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine trypanosomosis in the Abe Dongoro district, Western Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2023 and October 2023. A total of 520 randomly selected indigenous cattle were examined using buffy coat and Giemsa-stain thin smear techniques for parasitological and hematological analysis. Packed cell volume (PCV) was measured to assess anemia. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of bovine trypanosomes was 20.96% (109/520; 95% CI:17.6-24.7). T. congolense was the predominant species (39.45%; 95% CI: 30.8-48.7), followed by T. vivax (24.77%; 95% CI: 17.8-33.3), T. brucei (22.02%; 95% CI: 15.1-30.8), and mixed infections (13.6%; 95% CI: 8.3-21.6). The prevalence was significantly higher in cattle with a poor body condition (AOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.82-5.34; p < 0.001), of adult age (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.06-3.29; p = 0.041), and with a black coat color (AOR = 8.94; 95% CI: 4.78-16.72; p < 0.001). Anemia (PCV < 24) was present in 21.54% (112/520) of cattle, with parasitemic animals showing significantly lower mean PCV (mean difference = 6.5 percentage points; t = -20.55; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Bovine trypanosomiasis remains a major constraint to cattle health and productivity in the Abe Dongoro district, highlighting the need for sustained vector control, routine screening, and integrated disease management strategies.