European Journal of Applied Sciences 4 (3): 129-135, 2012 ISSN 2079-2077 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ejas.2012.4.3.6641 Corresponding Author: Tewodros Fentahun, University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Unit of Basic Veterinary Sciences, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. 129 Occurrence of Bovine Trypanosomosis, in the Blue Nile River Basin, Northwest Ethiopia Degu Fetehanegest, Ayalew Berhanu, Tewodros Fentahun and Mersha Chanie 1 1 2 1 University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Unit of Veterinary Paraclinical Studies, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia University of Gondar, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 2 Unit of Basic Veterinary Sciences, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia Abstract: A cross sectional study was conducted from October, 2010 to April, 2011 in three districts of West Amhara region located in the Abbay river basins namely Debre Elias, Dembecha, and Jabitehenandistrict, northwest of Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence rate of bovine Trypanosomosis and significance of associated risk factors in the study area. Blood samples were collected from 570 randomly selected local (zebu) breed of cattle in 8 Peasant Associations of three districts. The collected blood samples were examined using hematological and parasitological techniques (Buffy coat examination and thin blood smear). The overall prevalence of Trypanosomosis was found to be 6.49% and it consists of 5.62%, 3.75% and 10.56% in Debre Elias, Dembecha and Jabitehenan, respectively. Trypanosome conglense(5.26%) and Trypanosome vivax (1.23%) were the most common species encountered during study period. There were no statistical significance difference (P>0.05) between sexes, age, body condition and previously treated and untreated groups. But significance difference were observed in coat color of skin, altitude and districts (P<0.05). The mean PCV value of infected animals were (22.15±5.01SD) significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of non infected animals (26.21±5.1307 SD) and also the mean PCV value of animals in low land area was significantly different (P<0.05) from mid and highland areas. The study revealed that bovine trypanosomosis is more prevalent in low land and in black coat color skin of animals in the study area. Key words: Bovine % Amhara Region % Occurrence % Trypanosomosis % West Amhara INTRODUCTION T. conglense, T.vivax and T.brucei in cattle, sheep Tsetse transmitted animal trypanosomosis is a horse [2]. The most prevalent trypanosomalspecies in serious constraint to livestock production and agricultural tsetse infested areas of Ethiopia are T. conglense and T. development in the greater river basins due to its high vivax. prevalence in the most arable and fertile land of South In the west part of the Amhara regional state West and North West part of the country following the bordering the Abay river, one of the north western tsetse greater river basins of Abay, Omo, Ghibe and Baro with belt areas of Ethiopia, tsetse transmitted trypanosomosis a high potential for agricultural development [1]. is becoming a serious threat for livestock production and In Ethiopia, a total of 14.8 million cattle, 6.12 million sheep agricultural activity in particular [3]. Currently known sites and goats, 1 million camel and 5.23 million are at risk of of tsetse born trypanosomes are west Gojjam (Jabitchnan, contracting trypanosomosis [1]. Currently, about Denbecha and bure), EastGojjam (Mechakel, Gozamen and 220,000km area is infested with tsetse flies namely Basoliben) and Awi (Ankesha), Guangua and Dangila) of 2 Glossinapallidipes, G.morsitans, G.fuscipes, the Abay (Blue Nile) river basins. Amhara Bureau of G.tachinoidesand G. longipennis. The most important agricultural and rural development has already prepared trypanosome species affecting livestock in Ethiopia are a control program for tsetse and typanosomosis. and goat, T.evanisi in camel and T.equiperdum in