Evaluation of trypanosomiasis control alternatives using an epidemiologic simulation model

The effect of various disease-vector control alternatives on the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in southwest Ethiopia was examined with the aid of an epidemiologic model. The alternatives considered included vegetation clearing by manual labor, game elimination, insecticidal spraying from airplanes coupled with settlement, use of sterile male Glossina, avoidance of tsetse infested areas, increasing the resistance of the cattle population, therapy, and combinations of the above methods. First, the currently estimated endemic prevalence of trypanosomiasis (27.3%) in the simulated area of Ethiopia was established and maintained over a 10 year period. Then, various control alternatives were introduced and the simulation was run for an additional 10 years to observe the effect of these control alternatives on the prevalence. The combined use of vegetation clearing, insecticides, therapy, and settlement (or resettlement) was the most effective and feasible method of trypanosomiasis control for the simulated situation.