Adjumani District, located in the northwestern part of Uganda, has had a long history of tsetse and trypanosomiasis. However, tsetse control methods and operations in the district were being guided by mere number and location of sleeping sickness cases treated in Adjumani Hospital and complaints of tsetse infestation received from the villages, without reference to particular tsetse species. It was thought that probably only one riverine tsetse fly species existed in the district. 7 locations were first selected for a preliminary area-wide tsetse survey to determine trapping sites. 10 pyramidal traps were deployed at a distance of 250m apart along river banks in each village in the location, and checked (milked) after 72 hours (3 days). A total of 220 pyramidal traps were used. Six locations were then selected for a six month routine survey. Two villages were selected as trapping sites in each of the 6 study locations basing on the baseline fly trapping density (FTD) or species complexity, giving a total of 12 trapping sites. Three pyramidal traps and 3 biconical traps were deployed, spaced 50m apart in each trapping site to catch adult tsetse flies, and checked after every 24 hours (1 day), once a week, giving a total of 24 samples for each trapping site. Tsetse fly species caught were identified using external morphological features. The survey revealed that at least 3 different species of tsetseflies exist in the district: Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, G. morsitans, and G. pallidipes. G. f. fuscipes was the most abundant species distributed in all the 6 parishes and 12 trapping sites with an average fly trapping density (FTD) of 1.765, followed by G. m. submorsitans found in Maaji-Sinyanya-Ofu Village in Ukusijoni Parish, Okawa Village in Palaro Parish and Pakwinya Village in Odu Parish with an average FTD of 0.174 and the least abundant species being G. Pallidipes confined to Maaji-Sinyanya-Ofu Village in Ukusijoni Parish, with an average FTD of 0.0308. In total 1,570 tsetse flies were caught during the survey period which disaggregated into 635 males (40%), 935 females (60%). There were 416 non-teneral male tsetse flies (26%) and 219 teneral male tsetse flies (14%), 637 non-teneral female tsetse flies (41%) and 298 teneral female tsetse flies (19%). During the survey period, a total of 41 Sleeping Sickness cases from the 6 study locations (parishes) was being treated in Adjumani Hospital, including refugees and other people from Southern Sudan.
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS: The benefits and the future
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this study is to conduct a systematic survey of tsetse fly species composition, distribution, and relative abundance in the Adjumani District of Uganda, moving beyond reliance on sleeping sickness case locations to establish a foundation for species-specific control methods.
- Identification of specific tsetse fly species (Glossina) present in the district.
- Mapping the spatial distribution and relative abundance (Fly Trapping Density) across study locations.
- Analysis of environmental and human factors influencing tsetse population dynamics.
- Evaluation of the correlation between tsetse presence and sleeping sickness infection rates.
- Provision of data-driven recommendations to improve future tsetse control strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Results of the systematic survey (Tables 3 and IV) indicate that 3 different tsetse fly species exist in Adjumani District, namely G. f. fuscipes, G. m. submorsitans, and G. pallidipes. Overall, out of the total of 1,570 tsetse flies caught during the survey period, G. f. fuscipes was the most abundant tsetse species distributed in all the 6 parishes and 12 trapping sites with a total of 1,401 individuals caught, giving an average fly trapping density (FTD) of 1.765; followed by G. m. submorsitans found in Maaji-Sinyanya-Ofu Village in Ukusijoni Parish, Okawa Village in Palaro Parish, and Pakwinya Village in Odu Parish with a total of 143 individuals caught, giving an average FTD of 0.174; and the least abundant species being G. pallidipes confined to Maaji-Sinyanya-Ofu Village in Ukusijoni Parish, with a total of only 26 individuals caught, giving an average FTD of 0.0308.
Comparing between locations and trapping sites, the highest relative percentage composition of G. f. fuscipes was registered in Palaro Parish (approximately 32%), followed by Paridi Parish (approximately 22%), with the lowest (about 4%) being registered in Ataboo Parish (Figure 1). Although G. m. submorsitans was caught in Okawa Village in Palaro Parish and Pakwinya Village in Odu Parish, the relative percentage composition figures were very negligible in these villages and parishes, compared to that in Maaji-Sinyanya-Ofu Village in Ukusijoni Parish. It appeared to have confined itself again mainly to Maaji-Sinyanya-Ofu Village in Ukusijoni Parish. Ukusijoni Parish therefore had the highest tsetse species diversity. Possibly this distribution pattern of G. f. fuscipes, G. m. submorsitans, and G. pallidipes could have been influenced by the availability of local preferred food sources, as suggested earlier by FAO (1982b) and Minter (1996).
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides geographical and historical background of Adjumani District, detailing the history of tsetse-borne sleeping sickness outbreaks and the rationale for the survey.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the equipment and systematic survey methodology used to identify, trap, and analyze tsetse flies across selected locations in the district.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: Presents the findings regarding species composition and distribution, comparing them to environmental factors and sleeping sickness prevalence in the area.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS: The benefits and the future: Discusses the utility of the gathered data for stakeholders and outlines needs for future research and control planning.
CONCLUSION: Summarizes the key findings, highlighting the species-specific distribution and the potential for population growth, while emphasizing the need for improved control strategies.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lists the academic, technical, and unpublished sources used to support the research.
Keywords
Adjumani District, Tsetse fly, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, Glossina morsitans submorsitans, Glossina pallidipes, Sleeping Sickness, Trypanosomiasis, Fly Trapping Density, Vector control, Species distribution, Uganda, Public health, Entomology, Environmental factors, Disease epidemiology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on conducting a systematic survey to identify the specific species of tsetse flies present in Adjumani District, Uganda, and to map their distribution and abundance, which were previously unknown.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include entomological identification of Glossina species, analysis of tsetse population dynamics in relation to environmental factors, and the epidemiology of sleeping sickness among both local populations and refugees.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The primary objective is to move beyond reactive tsetse control measures by providing precise knowledge of species composition and distribution, thereby allowing for the selection and implementation of more effective, species-specific control methods.
Which scientific methods were utilized?
The study employed pyramidal and biconical traps to collect tsetse flies, external morphological identification, microscopic analysis for sexing and species verification, and statistical analysis using SPSS for fly trapping density (FTD) and chi-square tests.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the systematic survey findings, including the identification of three distinct tsetse species, their relative abundance, spatial distribution across trapping sites, and an assessment of how these findings correlate with human sleeping sickness cases.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key terms include Adjumani District, Tsetse fly, Glossina, Sleeping Sickness, Trypanosomiasis, Vector control, and Fly Trapping Density.
Does the number of tsetse flies directly correlate with the number of sleeping sickness cases in this study?
No, the study reveals that there is no positive correlation between the number and diversity of tsetse flies caught in a specific area and the number of sleeping sickness patients admitted from that same location.
What impact do bush fires have on the tsetse population according to the author?
The author suggests that bush fires are a significant factor that reduces the tsetse population by destroying their natural habitats, vegetation, and killing many individual flies, especially during the dry season.
- Quote paper
- BSc, MS (Candidate) Cosmas Alfred Butele (Author), 2013, A Survey of the Species Composition, Distribution and Relative Abundance of Tsetseflies (Diptera: Glossinidae) of Adjumani District, North Western Uganda, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/212604
