An update on tsé tsé flies and animal trypanosomiasis distribution and control in North Region of Cameroon: A scoping review

Abstract

Tsé tsé-transmitted and non-tsé tsé transmitted animal trypanosomiasis remains a threat to the development of the livestock sector of Cameroon. A scoping review was conducted for the North region from 1960s till date to update on the following aspects of the disease and its vectors: i) Tsé tsé and animal trypanosomiasis (T&T) distribution, ii) History of Eradication Campaigns (ECs), iii) Evolution of control strategies, iv) Strategies for the conservation of previously cleared rangelands, v) Occurrence of mechanical vectors and vi) Perspectives for T & T control in the North. For the past more than half a decade of tsé tsé flies fight, G. tachinoides and G. morsitans submorsitans remains the only two main vector-species identified overlappingly infesting the area. Similarly, T. congolense, T. brucei, and T. vivax are the pathogenic species of trypanosomes infecting cattle since the year 1995. Apart from tsé tsé flies, other mechanical vectors such as tabanids and Stomoxys are wide spread and might be transmitting animal trypanosomiasis (AT) mechanically in tsé tsé free areas of the Northern region. The re-invasion of previously tsé tsé-cleared areas by infested areas (adjacent to the three national parks) that was signaled in 1976 is still a threat to the disease elimination. The fight against tsé tsé to stop the transmission of trypanosomiasis is still ongoing but operating at low levels at the barriers between infested and cleared areas as well as in pasture areas of the infested zones using an integrated approach involving Insecticide Treated Cattle (ITC), Insecticide treated Targets and Traps (ITTTs) and trypanocides. For the past years, the Special Mission for Tsé tsé Eradication (MSEG) has cleared up to 8 000 000 ha of pasture land in the Northern regions of Cameroon. Applying the African Animal Trypanosomiasis Progressive Control Pathway (AAT-PCP) protocol in Cameroon, the North region is in stage 1. Data on T&T for the North region remains scant and robust entomological, epidemiological, and economic impact data for this area is required to guide targeted control by the fly intervention authorities.