The population of tsetse flies is gradually increasing amid concerns over a possible outbreak of diseases associated with the insects in Homa Bay.
Human beings contract trypanosomiasis while animals contract nagana diseases if bitten by tsetse flies.
Experts from Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC) have confirmed the silent prevalence of nagana disease in the lakeside county from late last year.
The experts have detected the Nagana disease around Ruma National Park in Suba region. The area has been an epicentre for infection of the disease due to the presence of wild animals.
Trypanosomiasis is also known as sleeping sickness.
Residents Thomas Okello and John Abich said their animals which they depend on for milk and farm labour are no longer productive after they were diagnosed with the disease.
The farmers who hail from Wiga village in Gwassi, Suba South constituency said the number of animals getting infected is gradually increasing.
“Farmers whose animals were affected didn’t know what was ailing them until KENTTEC officials carried out some tests and realised they had contracted the Nagana disease,” Okello said.
Abich expressed concerns over a serious outbreak of the disease should the government fail to provide quick interventions.
In the past, the government has been vaccinating livestock and applying aerial spraying around Ruma National Park to eradicate the disease.
“I foresee a situation where every home is going to be affected if no quick action is taken. Animals and residents will remain impoverished,” Abich said.
A speedy intervention by the government in the past has helped to cut the life cycle of the flies and suppressed the disease infections.
During monitoring exercise on tsetse flies and epidemiological study on livestock in Wiga the KENTTEC regional coordinator Bernard Chemweno said their preliminary findings have established that Nagana is on the rise.
The expert said they also found out that trypanosomiasis is likely to rise.
Samples collected from animals in villages around Ruma National Park tested positive. The villages included Kamato, Ogando and Kigoto.
“We had a prevalence rate of 7 per cent last year. The prevalence has undoubtedly increased this year,” Chemweno said.
He said it is a serious issue that needs quick intervention from stakeholders.
“There is a need for a collaborative effort to save local farmers who depend on livestock as a source of livelihood,” he said.
Chemweno said there should be an elaborate programme that supports regular spraying and vaccination of animals in Homa Bay.
