The role of domestic animals in the epidemiology of human african trypanosomiasis in Ngorongoro conservation area, Tanzania

A high prevalence of Trypanosoma brucei infections, including the human-infective subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense, was identified among domestic animals—cattle, sheep, and goats—in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania. The study found infection rates of 47% in cattle, 91.7% in sheep, and 60.8% in goats, with sheep and goats acting as carriers of T. b. rhodesiense, which causes acute human trypanosomiasis. Researchers analyzed 193 samples from Maasai herds using PCR and SRA LAMP techniques across eight sites, highlighting the critical role of domestic livestock in disease transmission dynamics. These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened control strategies to mitigate outbreaks and protect both animal and human health in the region.

Ruiz, J. P., Nyingilili, H. S., Mbata, G. H., & Malele, I. I. (2015). The role of domestic animals in the epidemiology of human african trypanosomiasis in Ngorongoro conservation area, Tanzania. Parasites & Vectors, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-1125-6