An update of the bovine trypanosomosis situation at the edge of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Abstract

To obtain updated data on and assess the contribution of trypanosomosis to the disease burden of cattle kept at the edge of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, a survey was conducted at Mvutshini Dip. Use was made of a purposeful sampling strategy by restricting sampling to animals that the livestock owner considered to be in poor condition. Of a total of 76 blood samples collected, 26 were parasitologically positive and 46 were positive on PCR/RFLP. Almost all infections were due to Trypanosoma congolense savannah subgroup. A total of 63 animals had a PCV ≤ 24% and were considered to be anaemic. Results from the survey show that trypanosome infections contribute significantly to the overall burden of disease in the area. Further research is required to develop appropriate control methods.