African Animal Trypanosomosis in an Agrarian Settlement in Kaduna City, Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria

Trypanosomiasis has been recognized as a major cause of sickness and death throughout sub-Saharan Africa as well as a major constraint on the use of livestock. Inadequate disease reporting and surveillance has hampered the control of the disease. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of Trypanosomiasis among cattle in Gwaraji district (an agrarian settlement on the fringes of Kaduna metropolis), Igabi Local government area of Kaduna State in Northern Nigeria. A total of 94 cattle were sampled from about 30 herds. These cattle belong to Fulani herdsmen. Parasitological examination was carried out using the Standard Trypanosome Detection Method. The overall infection rate was 25.53% and the trypanosome species observed were Trypanosoma congolense (70.83%), T. brucei (16.66%) and mixed infections of T. brucei and T. congolense (12.5%). The implication of the species identified, method of diagnosis and public health concerns were discussed.