The Role of Environment Management in T&T.pptx

Environment and tsetse control

1. The Role of Environment Management in T&T prevention and control BY DR. JANE J. RUTTO Meru University of Science and Technology, P.O BOX P.O Box ,972-60200 Meru Kenya

2. Landscape epidemiology of human African trypanosomiasis Many infectious diseases transmitted by arthropods vectors have a strong link to landscape features and reservoirs. Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) have been reported to be high in areas with thick vegetation which acts as conducive habitats for the tsetse flies. Decreased vegetation cover due to human interventions in the natural ecosystems such as crop farming and settlement influence the ecology of vectors transmitting the disease. In Western Kenya agricultural land and wooded shrubland contributed 58.2 % and 0 %, respectively while Southeast Uganda agricultural land was 29.4%, while wooded shrubland was 15.4 % in the year 2007 - HAT in both countries correlated to increased woody vegetation

3. Landscape epidemiology of human African trypanosomiasis Wetland cover in Western Kenya was 8.7 % of which 82 % was under wetland cultivation while in Southeast Uganda it was 17.8 % of which 26.6% under cultivation Human population density and types of crops grown, livestock numbers and livestock husbandry in the study villages influenced the occurrence of HAT- blood meal exclusively from cattle. Prophylactic administration of tyrpanocides and topical application of insecticides on livestock reduced incidence of HAT. Also anthropogenic interventions such as development of hydraulic structure like pumps, wells resulting in change in human mobility in search of water decrease human/riverine tsetse contact hence reduced possibility of HAT spread

4. Rutto J.J. Meru University of Science and Technology Correlation of sleeping sickness human population and livestock numbers risk in western Kenya (Rutto and Karuga; J Vector Borne Dis 46, March 2009, pp. 18 – 25

5. Source: Rutto et al, 2011. Human African Trypanosomiasis Trends in Teso and Busia Districts, Western Kenya and Busia and Teso Districts, Southeast Uganda from 1977 to 2008 Source: Rutto et al , 2011. 2006 Land Cover and HAT Occurrence and Distribution in Kenya and Uganda Transboundary (2000 to 2008) Conclusions: Tsetse and HAT control may be achieved through environmental management of permanent or long-term modification of the environment Working with multi- professional/multidisciplinary teams together in an effort for HAT eradication