Animal trypanosomiasis in Africa: Aetiology and Epidemiology

Abstract

The aetiology and epidemiology of African trypanosomiasis in bovine species are comprehensively presented. In addition, a critical review of the history and transmission of the disease is exhaustively discussed. The mystery of other epizootiological factors associated with bovine trypanosomiasis is highlighted. Four major elements were identified as important in the epizootiology of African animal trypanosomiasis namely the trypanosome, the tsetse fly, the mammalian host and the environmental factors.  It was concluded that the phenomenon of high rate of resistance referred to as trypanosotolerance has genetic correspondence.