Determination of Tsetse Fly Occurrence and Their Trypanosoma Infection Status in Selected Communities of Enugu South L. G. A.

Trypanosomiasis is a debilitating public health disease affecting both humans and Animals. It is transmitted mainly by tsetse flies. The abundance of this fly in an area is correlated with the disease prevalence. This study determined the occurrence and Trypanosoma infection status of tsetse flies in selected communities of Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State. The biconical trap method was used to capture tsetse flies while sections of proboscis, midgut and hindgut wet smears were made, and microscopy was performed to investigate Trypanosoma infection. Ninety-one flies were captured during the study, 56(61.5%) were female, while 35(38.5%) were male. All the tsetse flies caught during the study were morphologically identical to Glosinia palpalis palpalis. The average daily catch was 15.17±3.43. A daily mean catches of 9.17±3.14 and 5.83±0.98 were recorded for female and male tsetse flies, respectively. There was no significant difference in number of flies caught in both communities (P = 0.8021). More female than male flies were caught (P = 0.0012). Twenty-two (24.18%) flies were found to harbour Trypanosoma sp. Infection varied according to the sex of the flies (P<0.05). Female flies were more infected than males. Tsetse fly’s abundance and their infection with Trypanosoma is a risk for inhabitants of Enugu South local government of Enugu state. Therefore, there is a need to initiate tsetse control measures in the affected areas, and it is imperative to conduct public health education intervention on the implications of the disease and the mode of disease transmission. Further studies are recommended to ascertain the cryptic species of trypanosome prevalent in the study areas using a molecular approach.