A Brief History of Tsetse Control Methods in Zimbabwe and Possible Effects of Climate Change on Their Distribution

Authors

Rory Pilossof, University of the Free State, South AfricaFollow

Abstract

African trypanosomiasis, which affects wildlife, domesticated animals and humans, remains widespread across Africa. Approximately 8 million km², covering 37 African counties, are infested with tsetse flies (Glossina) that carry the disease (Allsopp 2001). The first part of this paper looks at the history of tsetse control on the northern fly-belt in Zimbabwe, affecting the Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West provinces. In Zimbabwe, tsetse control has shifted and evolved in the twentieth century, ranging from the initial methods of game destruction and bush-clearing, to ground and aerial spraying of insecticides, the sterile insect technique (SIT), tsetse trapping, and the use of insecticides applied to cattle or to artificial baits called targets. The second part of the paper looks at the possible effect of climate change on the abundance and distribution of tsetse by considering how changes in temperature could affect life cycles and breeding patterns. The analysis offers suggestions for the means of alleviating the future effects of any alteration in human-tsetse contact resulting from changes in climate, land use and human populations.

Recommended Citation

Pilossof, Rory (2016) "A Brief History of Tsetse Control Methods in Zimbabwe and Possible Effects of Climate Change on Their Distribution," International Journal of African Development: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ijad/vol4/iss1/8