Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

The prevalence rate of bovine trypanosomosis in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State was studied over a period of twenty-four months (Jan. 1999-Dec. 2000). A total of 1,300 whole blood samples collected via jugular venipuncture and examined for trypanosomosis using standard trypanosome detection method. The overall prevalence rate revealed that 13.08 % of the 1,300 screened were positive. Animals over than 5 years' old had an infection rates of 58.8 % and the least age-group were the younger age less than 2 years old (11.8 %). There was no statistical significant difference between the age group (p>0.05). Breed specific rates showed that white Fulani (14.6 %) had higher infection than the red Bororos (7.6 %, p0.05). Distribution of trypanosomes infection rate between rainy and dry seasons and also that of the locations showed no statistically significant difference between the seasons and the areas of study (p>0.05). The PCV of the infected and non infected animals showed statistically significant difference (