An analysis of trypanocidal drug use in the Eastern Province of Zambia

As part of the development of a strategy for the control of bovine trypanos omosis in Zambia, a survey was conducted to quantify and qualify the curren t use of trypanocidal drugs (diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chlorid e) in a tsetse-controlled and a tsetse-infested area of the Eastern Provinc e. A total of 207 trypanocide users were interviewed. Questions were posed on herd structure, trypanocidal drug preference, treatment strategy, reason for treatment, method of treatment and treatment frequency. The majority o f the cattle owners preferred to use diminazene aceturate rather than isome tamidium chloride. Both trypanocides were mainly used to treat clinically s ick animals (not necessarily infected with trypanosomes) and preference was given to the treatment of oxen and cows. The proportion of animals treated and the frequency of drug application did not differ between the two areas . Hence, in the tsetse-controlled area, a high proportion of the trypanocid e treatments was inappropriate. In the tsetse-infested area, on the other h and, the treatment of clinically sick animals significantly reduced the try panosomosis-related mortality but was insufficient to boost reproduction in cows. Despite the fact that the cattle owners administered most trypanocid es themselves, evidence from the survey suggests that most of the farmers d id not under-dose with either diminazene aceturate or isometamidium chlorid e. Moreover, other factors enhancing the development of resistance to trypa nocides in trypanosomes were not present in the areas surveyed. Conclusions are drawn on the usefulness of this type of survey in determining appropri ate methods to control bovine trypanosomosis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.