Bovine trypanosomiasis risk in an endemic area on the eastern plateau of Zambia

The control of bovine trypanosomiasis could be improved by using the available control tools during periods when the incidence of the disease is highest. The present study assessed the monthly risk of bovine trypanosomiasis in 85 sentinel cattle kept on the tsetse-infested eastern plateau of Zambia during a period of 19 consecutive months. To avoid problems associated with persistence of infections because of trypanocidal drug resistance and/or the time lag between sampling and molecular analysis, a survival analysis and the subsequent calculation of risk was used as an indicator of challenge. Results showed that the average monthly risk of infection (92.3% due to Trypanosoma congolense) was 6%. It was significantly higher (7.7%) during the beginning of the rainy season (December–February). According to the outcome of the study, bovine trypanosomiasis control in the study area can be improved through increasing control efforts during this period of highest challenge.