Introduction

Insect-born diseases exact a high public health burden and have a devastating impact on livestock and agriculture. One of such disease that has plagued sub-Saharan Africa is caused by protozoan African trypanosomes (the trypanosome species) and transmitted by tsetse flies (Akysoy et al, 2005).Tsetse flies are confined to sub-Saharan Africa mostly in the rural areas and their deleterious effects on livestock production are enormous.

According to Lehane et al (2003), tsetse flies transmit African trypanosomosis leading to half a million cases annually and that the diseases known as Nagana in animals remains a massive break on African Agricultural development. Over the past 100 years, a lot of efforts have been put on initiatives aimed at controlling the tsetse fly. There has however been limited impact in terms of reducing the problem (Anon, 2002). Some of the areas where tsetse fly populations were considerably reduced have become re-infested due in most cases to lack of consolidation of achievements (Oluwafemi,et al, 2001, Anon, 2001). The present study area being a typical example where gains made were not sustained.

The present study area and even the entire Nasarawa State is an area with huge agricultural potentials. The area can be referred to as one of the food baskets of the Nation due to its abundant crop and livestock resources, yet the prevalence and distribution of tsetse flies (Glossina spp) mainly Glossina palpalis palpalis and Glossina tachinoides constitutes a serious constraints to effective utilization of these resources (Oluwafemi,et al,2001, Ilemobade, 1994 and Anon,1977).

The positive impact of the first phase of the Biological Control of tsetse fly project (BICOT) in the study area was evident. Some forest areas, which serves as habitats for tsetse flies were now cultivated for farming purposes and ruminant animal production activities increased. According to Oluwafemi (2006), this relief is being threatened by re-infestation as tsetse flies population is gradually building up.

African Heads of States and government, having being under pressure from their communities to do something about the tsetse flies problem and realizing that individual country solutions would not work, came to the conclusion that the tsetse problem had to be tackled on a continent-wide basis. Therefore, in the light of the above decision, the author wish to present to present the prevalence and distribution of tsetse fly in the study area and to appeal to all stakeholders in the implementation of the decision to come up with sustainable measures of tsetse fly control/eradication from the continent of Africa.

Materials and Methods

Study Area

Data collection

Results

The two species of tsetse flies encountered during the study were Glossins palpalis palpalis and Glossina tachinoides. In all, 466 flies were caught comprising of 454 Glossina p.palpalis and 12 Glossina tachinoides. The distribution of tsetse flies in the study area as revealed by the result of this survey showed a high population of tsetse flies in Maisamari, Feferuwa, Ganye, Ehula, Bukankwato, Kurikiyo and Awuma areas (Table 1). On the other hand, areas of moderate tsetse flies population include Akunni, Tsakwa, Achiba, Dungu, Kirayi and Maiakuya.

The survey also further revealed that forest areas along the rivers in some places have given way to farming activities and these are areas with moderate and low tsetse fly population. Presently, Amba, Dutse and Ombi are almost within Nasarawa State capital as a result of infrastructural development. The overall summary is as presented in Table 1 below.

Figure 1

Table 1.Summary of tsetse flies caught from the month of May to June 2000 on a 24 hour trapping exercise.

Conclusion and Discussion

The present study revealed the prevalence and distribution of tsetse flies in an area where the same tsetse flies had earlier been eradicated through the use of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) by the Biological Control of Tsetse fly project (Anon,1985). The distribution pattern of tsetse flies especially Glossina p.palpalis showed that tsetse flies and trypanosomosis complex is still a major hindrance to livestock development in the area. In addition to this, the use of work oxen, which is not common in the area will be difficult to practice. Areas with high and moderate tsetse flies population are areas where extensive crop and livestock production activities are being practiced; yet, tsetse fly problem exists and hinders the full utilization of these resources.

According to Swallow (2000), high trypanosomosis risk can largely exclude species and breeds of livestock that are otherwise well-suited to animal traction. For example, very few West African Zebu cattle or horses are used for traction in the wetter semi-arid and drier sub-humid regions of West Africa. This is the case in the present study area with the resultant absence of large scale farming activities. Implementation of a sustainable tsetse fly and trypanosomosis control programme will no doubt encourage crop and livestock farmers to move into such areas and this will eventually lead to raising of more livestock and cultivation of more land for crop farming. Through this, tsetse fly and trypanosomosis control partnership among stakeholders will be established and food and nutrition security achieved.