Abstract

Cross sectional study was conducted in Kindo Kiosh District, Wolaita administrative zone of SNNPRS from October 2011 to June 2012 to determine the prevalence rate of bovine trypanosomosis. In the parasitological survey, blood  samples  of  268  cattle  were  examined  using  a  buffy  coat  technique and thin smear under Gimsa stain.  The packed cell volume (PCV)  value  of  each  animal  was  also  measured  using  hematocrit  reader.  The overall prevalence of trypanosomosis was found to be 6.3%. The prevalence varied between different  study  areas;  5.6%  in  areas of low vegetation cover including (Henza, Chalenche and Moundena) to 7.2% in areas of high vegetation over (Moliticho and Fejena Mata) respectively. The most positive cases were due to Trypanosoma congolense (58.8%) followed by Trypanosoma vivax (29.4%) and mixed infection of these two species was observed in 11.8% of animals. The mean PCV value (%) of parasitaemic and aparasitaemic animals during the study period were 23.8±1.89 SD and 25.6±1.38 SD with a statistically significance (p < 0.05) difference between the two groups. The study also demonstrated variations in the prevalent among different age groups and between both sexes and body condition which were statistically insignificant (p>0.05).

Key words: Bovine, Ethiopia, Kindo koisha district, prevalence, trypanosomosis.