The study was conducted from December 2009 to March 2010 in South Ari Woreda of SNNP Regional State to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and to assess the apparent densities and distributions of tsetse flies. Blood samples were taken from a total of 384 indigenous cattle managed under small holder mixed crop livestock production. Blood Buffy coat dark ground phase contrast Microscopic technique was used for detection of the trypanosome parasites in the blood samples, NGU traps were used for tsetse fly survey and Packed cell volume (PCV) to determine the degree of anemia caused by trypanosomosis. The overall prevalence of 13.54% bovine trypanosomosis was recorded in the study area . The predominant species of trypanosome encountered during the study period were T. congolonce with relative prevalence of (63.5%) followed by T. vivax (36.5%) but there was no mixed infection observed. PCV evaluation showed that the mean PCV of parasitemic animals (25.5%) was significantly lower than that of (30.5%) aparasitemic animals indicating the importance of bovine trypanosomosis in causing anemia. Assessment of tsetse flies indicated that Glossina pallidipes is the major biological vector for bovine trypanosomosis in the study area with apparent density of 27.5 fly/trap/day. Other biting flies (tabanids and stmoxys) were also collected indicating the possibility of mechanical transmission.
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