DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF Trypanosoma evansi IN CAMELS (Camelus dromedarius) IN IRAN

Epidemiological survey of Trypanosoma evansi in 285 camels conducted for 3 years in Fars Province and adjoining areas in Iran, indicated an overall 14.0%, infection. These animals were brought from neighbouring places for slaughter and few of them were maintained for some dine. Aged animals above 4 years showed higher (16.1%) infection rate as compared to young ones below 4 years of age (9.5%). Moderate and heavy infections caused morbidity, emaciation and pale mucous membranes. Few animals had intermittent fever showing temperature upto 41 degrees C. The animals with high parasitaemia were anaemic with haemoglobin as low as 7.5 g/dl and PCV 15%. The infection was mostly chronic indicating the endemicity in the area. Proper control measures are needed to keep the infection under control and protect the other animal population.