A Review of Ecological Factors Associated with the Epidemiology of Wildlife Trypanosomiasis in the Luangwa and Zambezi Valley Ecosystems of Zambia

Table 4

Ecological and biological factors influencing the epidemiology trypanosomiasis.

Variable	Ecological/biological factor	Influence/effect
	Vector species	Glossina morsitans morsitans, Glossina brevipalpis
Vector	Intrinsic factors	Increase in vector competence; Favorable for survival and reproduction of trypanosomes
	Extrinsic factors	Favorable environment for completion of tsetse life cycle; Supportive climate in the valley for survival of vector species
	Relative abundance	Wide choice of feed for vector species; Easy choice of alternative feed sources for the vectors
Wildlife	Wide host species	Easy choice of alternative blood-meal options for vectors; Extinct species are easily replaced
	Trypanotolerance	Long-term carriers of viable trypanosomes to vectors; Increased host competence-tolerance of high infection rates
	Feeding behavior	Nocturnal species synchronized with vector feeding behaviors; Diurnal species less favorable by vector species
		Valley temperature favorable for survival of host species
	Climate	Short duration of cold months; Rain season favors wide dispersal of host reservoir
Habitat		Valley temperature is favorable for breeding of vector species
	Vegetation	Plant species source feed to wildlife host reservoir; Ideal for hibernation of tsetse flies away from the heat
	Riverine	Source of water for host species during dry season; Favorable vegetation for survival and hibernation of tsetse flies
	NP	Reduced poaching—increase in host reservoir population; High tsetse population density—No eradication programs
Conservation		Expansion of interface—human encroachment
	GMA	Low wildlife population—poaching, human/wildlife conflicts; Livestock/humans become alternative sources of blood meal
		Increased risk of human exposure to trypanosomiasis