Incidence of Trypanosoma evansi in Thrissur town

Veterinary World Vol.1, No.9, September 2008 Introduction Trypanosomiasis is a disease complex caused by several species of blood-and tissuedwelling protozoan parasites. The disease occurs throughout the tropical regions of Africa and in large areas of Asia and South America. It affects cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, camels and man. Wild animals can also be infected with the parasites but generally do not suffer from disease. They are the source (reservoir) of infection for domestic animals Case1 There is a private cattle farm in Thrissur housing about 30 animals, (25 buffaloes and 5 cows). The owners are milk vendors. The system of rearing is such that animals in advanced pregnancy are sent to Pollachi and are brought back after calving and reared in sheds facing each other. The dung pit is in the middle of the farm. In the months of June-July, there was disease incidence in this farm, with symptoms simulating e-fever. The symptoms shown include pyrexia 105 to 106F, enlargement of superficial lymph node, anaemia, progressive weakness, the animals were showing anorexia, off feed, lachrymation, salivation, difficulty in bearing weight, intermittent diarrhoea, respiratory distress and drop in milk yield. The animals were treated with antibiotics, antipyretics, Inj Berenil and liver tonics. Though the animals responded to treatment, the symptoms reappeared once the treatment was discontinued. Around 40% of the animals in the farm were affected one after the other. The total milk production had reduced to Veterinary World, Vol.1(9): 275-277 ClLINICAL