Spatial distribution and trypanosome infection of tsetse flies in the sleeping sickness focus of Zimbabwe in Hurungwe District
This study provides some insight into the dynamics of trypanosomiasis in humans and livestock
Abstract
In Zimbabwe, cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are caused by the unicellular protozoan Trypanosoma brucei, sub-species T. b. rhodesiense. They are reported from the tsetse-infested area in the northern part of the country, broadly corresponding to the valley of the Zambezi River. Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes, in particular T. congolense and T. vivax, also cause morbidity and mortality in livestock, thus generating poverty and food insecurity. Two species of tsetse fly, Glossina morsistans morsitans and G. pallidipes, are known to be present in the Zambezi Valley, although their distributional patterns and densities have not been investigated in detail.
This study tries to address this gap by providing some insight into the dynamics of trypanosomiasis in humans and livestock.
This research was supported by the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) programme
Citation
Shereni, W., Anderson, N.E., Nyakupinda, L., Cecchi, G., Spatial distribution and trypanosome infection of tsetse flies in the sleeping sickness focus of Zimbabwe in Hurungwe District, Parasites & Vectors, vol.9, issue3, 2016