Epidemiological studies on camel trypanosomosis (surra) and its control and economic impact in Somaliland
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Surra is a disease caused by the pathogenic trypanosome, Trypanosoma evansi, and is distributed throughout Africa, Asia and South America.The study outlined in this thesis was conducted to determine the epidemiology of trypanosomosis in camels, its economic impact on camels raised under a traditional pastoral production system and potential vectors that could transmit the disease between camels in Somaliland.Prior to this study there was limited information on the distribution and impact of surra in camels in Somaliland, although field reports indicated significant losses of production and consequently impact on the livelihood of pastoralists.In this study 2,575 camels were sampled from 144 herds and tested with the CATT/T.evansi.The animal level test seroprevalence observed was 26.4% (95% CI 24.8, 28.2) (real prevalence after adjusting for test sensitivity and specificity was 38.2%; 95% CI: 36.0, 40.0).The seroprevalence varied significantly between regions (p < 0.05) with a higher level (37.2%) in Sahil than in Awdal (19.3%) or Waqoyi Galbed (17.4%).A susceptible-infectious-subclinical (SIC) model was constructed in order to determine criteria for successful disease control by mass and targeted chemotherapy.This was used to simulate and estimate the economic benefits of four different control options against surra in camels.Adopting biannual treatment of all camels, monthly targeted treatment of clinically sick camels or biannual targeted treatment of seropositive camels was estimated to result in a benefit of US$141,431, 170,577 and 114,625 per village (80 camels) for a five year period in the study area, respectively.
Author: Abdirahman Abdikadir Salah
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2615871676