scholarly journals Epidemiology of tsetse flies in the transmission of trypanosomiasis: technical review of The Gambia experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1093-1102
Author(s):  
Alpha Kargbo ◽  
Rex A. Kuye
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Control Program ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Insect Vector ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
River Region

Climate change has posed serious health threats on both man and animals. This ranges from effects of progressive temperature rises from global warming to extreme weather events and anthropogenic activities and this has affected insect-vector distributions worldwide. Tsetse fly species transmit Trypanosomes but relative significance depends largely on the strength of their interactions with susceptible hosts. Tsetse flies are the main vectors of Trypanosomiasis and their existence pose a threat to the survival of cattle, small ruminates and equines in The Gambia. It is known to be one of the most vital parasitic diseases affecting livestock productivity in The Gambia and equines are very susceptible. Central River Region is mainly infested with the tsetse fly Glossina morsitan submorsitan a major vector of Trypanosomiasis among animals in the country and it is mainly found in dry, canopied, savannah woodland. Glossina palpalis is also present, but are more limited to riverine vegetation in the area. This work seeks to show the havoc caused by trypanosomiasis and the urgency for more studies to investigate the patterns of transmission of this disease especially in the context of climate change in other for a better control program for this zoonosis in The Gambia.Keywords: Climate Change, Glossina, Trypanosome, Cattle, Equine.

scholarly journals Perceived Climate Variability and Farm Level Adaptation in the Central River Region of The Gambia

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bagagnan ◽  
Ouedraogo ◽  
Fonta
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
River Region

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the recurring erratic and uneven rainfall distribution has resulted in low crop yields, income losses, and low food stock. In response to these climate change challenges, farmers have recourse to several coping strategies to survive. This present paper explores farmers’ perception of climate variability and the coping strategies in use in the Central River Region of The Gambia. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze perceived climate variability and farm level adaptation options in the region. Data were collected from 283 farmhouses through transect walks, quantitative surveys including the use focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that farmers generally perceive an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events and a decrease in the duration of the growing season. With regards to vulnerability and severity, nearly 95% of the respondents considered the dryness as the main threat to their farming activities and perceived its consequences as the most severe. The results equally showed that the perception of changes is linked to the adoption of some adaptation measures among which the preferred were the use of chemical fertilizers (66%), though it is stated to be the most expensive. The Spearman correlation test showed that the use of water conservation techniques is highly correlated with the quality of soil surface structure (p ≤ 0.01) and soil storage capacity (p ≤ 0.01). Findings of this study are of paramount importance in planning and implementing adaptation policies in The Gambia and beyond. To improve farmers’ resilience, drought tolerant crops should be promoted along with climate change and variability awareness campaigns.

scholarly journals Potential impacts of climate change on geographical distribution of three primary vectors of African Trypanosomiasis in Tanzania’s Maasai Steppe: G. m. morsitans, G. pallidipes and G. swynnertoni

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0009081
Author(s):  
Happiness Jackson Nnko ◽  
Paul Simon Gwakisa ◽  
Anibariki Ngonyoka ◽  
Calvin Sindato ◽  
Anna Bond Estes
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
African Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Current Climate ◽  
Maasai Steppe

In the Maasai Steppe, public health and economy are threatened by African Trypanosomiasis, a debilitating and fatal disease to livestock (African Animal Trypanosomiasis -AAT) and humans (Human African Trypanosomiasis—HAT), if not treated. The tsetse fly is the primary vector for both HAT and AAT and climate is an important predictor of their occurrence and the parasites they carry. While understanding tsetse fly distribution is essential for informing vector and disease control strategies, existing distribution maps are old and were based on coarse spatial resolution data, consequently, inaccurately representing vector and disease dynamics necessary to design and implement fit-for-purpose mitigation strategies. Also, the assertion that climate change is altering tsetse fly distribution in Tanzania lacks empirical evidence. Despite tsetse flies posing public health risks and economic hardship, no study has modelled their distributions at a scale needed for local planning. This study used MaxEnt species distribution modelling (SDM) and ecological niche modeling tools to predict potential distribution of three tsetse fly species in Tanzania’s Maasai Steppe from current climate information, and project their distributions to midcentury climatic conditions under representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 scenarios. Current climate results predicted that G. m. morsitans, G. pallidipes and G swynnertoni cover 19,225 km2, 7,113 km2 and 32,335 km2 and future prediction indicated that by the year 2050, the habitable area may decrease by up to 23.13%, 12.9% and 22.8% of current habitable area, respectively. This information can serve as a useful predictor of potential HAT and AAT hotspots and inform surveillance strategies. Distribution maps generated by this study can be useful in guiding tsetse fly control managers, and health, livestock and wildlife officers when setting surveys and surveillance programs. The maps can also inform protected area managers of potential encroachment into the protected areas (PAs) due to shrinkage of tsetse fly habitats outside PAs.

Subsistence farmer knowledge of strategies alleviating food insecurity in the context of climate change in the lower river region of the Gambia

Food Security ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 607-624
Author(s):  
Ebrima Sonko ◽  
Wojciech J. Florkowski ◽  
Sampson Agodzo ◽  
Philip Antwi-Agyei
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Farmer Knowledge ◽  
Subsistence Farmer ◽  
River Region

scholarly journals Can Protection Motivation Theory Explain Farmers’ Adaptation to Climate Change Decision Making in The Gambia?

Climate ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoul Bagagnan ◽  
Issa Ouedraogo ◽  
William M. Fonta ◽  
Musa Sowe ◽  
Anne Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Protection Motivation Theory ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Motivation Theory ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
River Region ◽  
Capacity Degradation

In The Gambia, climate change has affected, and continues to affect, the agriculture sector. Thus, there is a need to develop and understand effective agricultural adaptation policies. The present study used protection motivation theory to describe farmers’ adoption of climate change adaptation measures in the Central River Region of The Gambia. Primary data were collected in eight communities of the region. A transect walk was conducted, followed by a survey of farmers (n = 283). Perception data collected referred back to the past 20 years, with stated implementation addressing current adaptation practices. Results showed that the perception variables, namely, severity, ability to withstand, and internal barriers, were significantly correlated with protection motivation, while protection motivation and stated implementation for water conservation technique were strongly correlated. Structural equation modeling confirmed the mediation role of protection motivation between farmers’ “stated implementation” of adaptation measures and their perception of climate variability. A decrease in soil water storage capacity, degradation of the quality of soil surface structure, and a decrease of the length of the growing season are all factors that motivate farmers to implement an adaptation measure. The cost of the implementation and farmers’ vulnerability are factors that prevent implantation of adaptation measures. This study suggested that farmers’ resilience should be improved and adaptation measures should be subsidized in order to make them more accessible to farmers.

Trypanosome infection rates in tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) and cattle during tsetse control operations in the Kagera River region of Rwanda

1992 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Mihok ◽  
Leonard H. Otieno ◽  
Christopher S. Tarimo
Keyword(s):  
Day Treatment ◽  
Glossina Pallidipes ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Diminazene Aceturate ◽  
River Region ◽  
Specific Order ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractTrypanosome infections were monitored in three species of tsetse fly (Glossina pallidipes Austen, G. morsitans centralis Machado, and G. brevipalpis News-tead) at four locations in the Kagera River region of Rwanda from May 1989 to September 1990. Two of the four areas (Mpanga Ranch and Bukora Ranch) were subjected to tsetse fly suppression operations with odour-baited traps. Proboscis infections of the Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax types accounted for roughly equal numbers of the 207 mature infections detected (3.8%). Variation in infection rates was area-specific rather than tsetse species-specific. Order of magnitude differences in tsetse fly densities among areas were not correlated with differences in infection rates at the start of tsetse fly suppression operations. Similarly, declines in population density on both control and experimental areas were not associated with significant changes in infection rates. The prevalence of trypanosomiasis in cattle at Bukora Ranch was not affected by a roughly 90% reduction in Glossina densities. T. congolense accounted for 79% of the infections at an overall prevalence rate of 5.5%. Trypanosomiasis in cattle persisted at extremely low densities of about 0.1 fly/trap/day. Treatment of cattle with diminazene aceturate (BereniR) suggested that many T. congolense parasites were drug resistant, and hence, were cycling among cattle due to the few Glossina present.

scholarly journals Securing Horticulture in a Changing Climate—A Mini Review

Horticulturae ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi B. Bisbis ◽  
Nazim S. Gruda ◽  
Michael M. Blanke
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Climate Conditions

(1) Background: Climate change is on the rise due to continuous greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic activities ever since the industrial revolution. Changing weather conditions are likely to have consequences for horticulture. (2) Objective and Methods: A short literature review was conducted, gathering findings on climate change and the impacts on the yield and product quality of special crops. (3) Results: Global warming will result in elevated temperatures and CO2 concentrations in all seasons. Extreme weather events such as heat waves are also on the increase. In vegetables, physiological processes such as vernalization and winter chilling strongly rely on temperature. Therefore, heat stress may cause irregularities in yield production and planning the harvest. For fruit crops, frost poses a risk that is enhanced through climate change, as does a lack of chilling, as cold temperatures in the winter are required for flowering in the spring. Abiotic disorders in horticulture are also related to changing temperatures and humidity. The nutritional quality of special crops may be threatened by increasing rates of plant development and premature ripening at high temperatures. Quality traits such as sugars, acids, or antioxidant capacity may also shift as well. (4) Conclusions: Adapting to these new climate conditions means developing new climate-resilient varieties to maintain high production levels with superior quality. In this mini review, cultivation measures to mitigate adverse climate impacts are also discussed. Current developments and recent findings are presented, pointing out further steps toward adaptation and sustainable production.

Emergence of New Potential Insect Pests of Date Palm: Could Climate Change Be the Reason?

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 242-245
Author(s):  
Hamadttu A. F. El-Shafie
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
South American ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
The Family ◽  
American Palm ◽  
Sorghum Chafer

Four insect species were reported as new potential pests of date palm in recent years. They are sorghum chafer (Pachnoda interrupta), the rose chafer (Potosia opaca), the sericine chafer beetle (Maladera insanablis), and the South American palm borer (Pysandisia archon). The first three species belong to the order Coleoptera and the family Scarabaeidae, while the fourth species is a lepidopteran of the family Castniidae. The injury as well as the economic damage caused by the four species on date palm need to be quantified. Due to climate change and anthropogenic activities, the date palm pest complex is expected to change in the future. To the author's knowledge, this article provides the first report of sorghum chafer as a pest damaging date palm fruit.

Urban Population Knowledge of Climate Change in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

2013 ◽  
pp. 55-76
Author(s):  
Sergio A. Molina Murillo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
International Policies ◽  
General Concern

Most scenarios indicate that people in developing countries are more vulnerable and less capable of adapting to climate change. Since our public understanding of risk toward climate change in developing countries is limited, this article presents results from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, two countries which are socio-economically distinct, but which are expected to suffer similar extreme weather events. From October of 2008 until May 2010, a total of 1,047 respondents were surveyed in cities of both countries. The main results indicate that climate change is a widely known concept but other notions such as “carbon footprint” are foreign to most respondents. Despite the general concern with its negative consequences, respondents’ foremost concern is linked to their socioeconomic situation, and how it will be impacted by climate change in such aspects as poverty and social security. The results presented here contribute to advance national and international policies aiming to support mitigation or adaptation strategies in developing countries.

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