Background The temporal information of trypanosomosis and tsetse apparent density is very limited in the southern part of the country. So, the study was conducted to estimate the temporal, dry and wet seasons, prevalence of cattle trypanosomosis, and tsetse fly apparent density and its infection by trypanosome along the escarpment of Omo River, Loma district, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A total of 964 cattle (482 in each seasons) were examined for trypanosomosis using buffy coat technique. For Glossina and biting flies study a total of 80 odor-baited, acetone and aged cow urine, NGU traps were deployed around the watering and grazing areas. Results The overall prevalence of cattle trypanosomosis was 4.98% of which 3.1% and 6.8% accounted to dry and wet seasons, respectively. The prevalence of trypanosomosis was significantly higher during wet season (OR = 1.93, P < 0.05), in poor body condition (OR = 3.71, P < 0.05) and in black coat colour (OR = 13.18, P < 0.05) animals. Two species of Trypanosome, T . congolense and T . vivax , were circulating in the area both in dry and wet seasons. A total of 327 Glossina (126 G . pallidipes and 201 G . fuscipes ) were traped by using odour baited 80 NGU traps. The overall apparent density of Glossina was 4.1 Flies/Trap/Day. Relatively higher Glossina/Trap/Day caught in wet season (4.9 Flies/Trap/Day) than dry season (3.3 Flies/Trap/Day). Two species of Glossina namely G . pallidipes and G . fuscipes were distributed in the study areas. From the flies caught 127 Glossina were randomly selected and dissected. The overall proportion of Glossina infection was 15% with higher proportion of infection in wet season (19.6%) than the dry season (11.3%). Higher infection proportion was observed in G . pallidipes . Conclusion Trypansomosis is the major challenge for cattle productivity in the district. So to reduce the impact trypanosomosis and Glossina active community participation can play a key role.

This study was initiated to explore the impact of Gibe III dam on the situation of livestock diseases with emphasis on trypanosomosis in upstream and downstream districts. Focus group discussions with 15 groups each with 6-20 members were conducted using participatory research approach. Data were collected through simple ranking, proportional piling and matrix scoring. Level of agreement among groups analyzed was determined by Kendell's coeffi cient concordance (W). Proportional piling revealed that bovine trypanosomosis ranked fi rst followed by blackleg and anthrax. Study participants identifi ed livestock diseases by name and described the most salient features of each disease. Community perception on clinical signs, disease transmission, seasonality, of tsetse vectors, socioeconomic impacts, control methods commonly of trypanosomosis was in a good agreement (W > 0.38***; p<0.001). Livestock disease outbreaks and the challenge from tsetse and trypanosomosis were perceived signifi cantly reduced after dam construction in the upstream villages whereas dam construction and the artifi cial lake created thereof had little impact on the situation of trypanosomosis and the tsetse population in the downstream villages along the Omo river. Therefore, any tsetse and trypanosomosis control program should take into account the basic differences in the two sites and accordingly provide customized services.

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