PREVALENCE AND DENSITIES OF TSETSE FLIES AND THEIR INFECTION RATE IN KAGARKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study on tsetse flies and trypanosomes was carried out within Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State to determine the prevalence and density of tsetse flies and their infection rate in the study area. The study was carried out between March and May, 2018. A total of four sampling sites were considered, these include Katugal, Kubacha Forest Reserve, Maganda Kagarko and Fantaki. Seven (7) traps were deployed in each sampling site for tsetse flies trapping, and a total of twenty eight (28) biconical traps were used during the study period.  One hundred and forty four (144) biting flies were caught, these include one hundred and thirty (130) tsetse flies and fourteen (14) other biting flies. Twenty one (21) non teneral tsetse flies were dissected using dissecting pins and microscope. All the tsetse flies caught were Glossina palpalis, this comprises of 76 males and 54 females.  The tsetse flies mean apparent density was 1.55 flies per trap per day (F/T/D). The result of tsetse flies dissection indicated 2(9.5%) flies were infected with trypanosome infection and T. vivax was known to be the infecting trypanosome.  Both male and female tsetse fly had equal infection rate of 4.8%. This survey revealed data on tsetse flies abundance and other biting flies with potential as mechanical transmitters of T. vivax, which also indicates the possibility of trypanosomiasis in the study area. Therefore, studies to determine trypanosome prevalence in human and livestock should be conducted in the area for active trypanosomiasis control programs.