Tsetse fly is one of the insects that pose a risk to the health and productivity of animals in Ethiopia. Found predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, it comes as a serious threat to animal health, agriculture, and overall economic development.
Tsetse fly is a blood-sucking insect belonging to the family Glossinidae. There are several species of tsetse flies, but the most common ones in Ethiopia are Glossina morsitans and Glossina pallidipes. These flies are usually brown or grey, approximately the size of a honeybee. The insect possesses a prominent proboscis used for feeding on the blood of vertebrate animals, including humans.
The tsetse fly has been a significant factor in shaping the development of the country. Those flies transmit a parasitic protozoan called Trypanosoma, which causes a severe and often fatal disease known as African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness. This disease affects both humans and livestock, posing a considerable threat to the well-being of communities across the country.
Risk Leader for the release, sterilization and prevention of tsetse fly at Ethiopian Animal Health Institute, Moges Hidito said tsetse fly affects almost 240,000 km of square fertile land which is used for agriculture and livestock production.
Tsetse flies are another factor that can hamper Ethiopia’s agricultural progress. Numerous areas of land have been reported to be infested by flies, making them unsuitable for raising cattle and growing crops. Due to the risk of trypanosomiasis, farmers are frequently forced to leave beneficial locations, which hurts food security and the growth of livestock. Many Ethiopians depend on livestock for their livelihoods, making animals particularly susceptible to tsetse fly infestations. In addition to causing immediate harm through blood loss, the flies also cause animals to lose weight, produce less milk, and become less fertile.
These tsetse flies occur in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan countries that are suitable for its reproduction. In Ethiopia the most affected areas are Amhara region, Benshangul Gumuz, Oromia, Southern west Ethiopia, Southern Ethiopia and Sidama regions, he added.
He mentioned that the insects cause economic loss amounting to some 34.5 million USD annually in Africa including Ethiopia.
Climate as well as rainfall patterns may vary as a result of climate change, and these changes may have an immediate impact on whether or not tsetse fly habitats are suitable. Environmental factors, especially humidity and temperature, can affect how these insects behave.
The distribution of these hosts and their migratory habits may vary as a result of climate change and deforestation. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, for instance, can have an impact on the availability of water resources and flora, which can then alter where host animals are located. As tsetse fly populations follow their preferred hosts, this can affect the way it spread and travels.
Climate change can influence the prevalence and transmission dynamics of the trypanosome parasites carried by tsetse flies. Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can create more favourable conditions for the development and survival of both the tsetse flies and the trypanosome parasites within them. This can result in increased infection rates and a higher risk of trypanosomiasis transmission to humans and livestock.
Ethiopia can enhance its efforts in controlling the spread of trypanosomiasis and minimize the negative consequences on human and animal health, agriculture, and economic development. Efforts to combat the tsetse fly and its associated diseases have been ongoing in Ethiopia for many years. The government, in collaboration with international organizations and research institutions, has implemented various control strategies. These include the use of insecticide-treated traps, aerial spraying, and the release of sterile male flies to suppress the fly population.
Controlling the diseases caused by tsetse flies in animal reservoirs through measures like veterinary interventions, such as treatment, vaccination, or selective breeding, can help reduce the spread of tsetse flies. However, implementing such measures on a large scale can be logistically challenging and resource-intensive.
He stated that efforts are underway to address the issues of tsetse flies by using of insecticides or chemical substances to target and kill tsetse flies. This method typically includes the application of insecticidal sprays and baits designed to disrupt their reproductive cycle or directly eliminate them or traps in areas where tsetse flies are prevalent. However, he underlined, that the application of this chemical needs due precaution. The chemicals need to be carefully managed and regulated to minimize any potential negative impacts on the environment or non-target species.
Controlling the existence of tsetse flies requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the issues. Based on research data, tsetse flies thrive in specific habitats, such as dense vegetation and woodland areas. Clearing or modifying these habitats can help reduce their breeding sites. However, this approach may face challenges in terms of environmental impact, as it may disrupt ecosystems and biodiversity.
The government should prevent tsetse flies through the use of natural enemies to control the population of tsetse flies. He further stated that this method relies on the identification and introduction of organisms that are natural predators, parasites, or pathogens of tsetse flies. This method can help reduce tsetse fly populations by preying on them, laying their eggs inside them, or infecting them with diseases, he added. For instance, certain wasps and ants are known to parasitize tsetse flies, while certain species of bacteria and fungi can cause infections in tsetse flies. Those methods are considered to be more environmentally friendly.
Besides this, raising awareness about tsetse flies, their associated diseases, and preventive measures is vital. Educating local communities, travellers, and healthcare professionals about the risks, symptoms, and available control strategies can help prevent infections and encourage early treatment-seeking behaviour. However, reaching remote populations and ensuring sustained awareness can be challenging.
Furthermore, the prevention of tsetse flies and associated diseases requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, scientists, policymakers, research institutions, international organizations, and local communities. Such collaboration is vital for developing comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of tsetse fly infestation and its associated diseases.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 17 SEPTEMBER 2023
