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The continental atlas of the distribution of tsetse flies in Africa

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 224 p.

Author Cecchi, G.; Paone, M.; de Gier, J.; Zhao, W.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-139040-5

Series title PAAT Technical and Scientific Series

Series number No. 12

Synopsis (short abstract) Tsetse flies (Genus: Glossina) occur in sub-Saharan Africa, where they transmit trypanosomosis, a group of parasitic diseases that affect both animals and humans. Tsetse and trypanosomosis are a constant drain on the resources of poor African livestock keepers and they also impose a public health burden. Comprehensive data on the geographic distribution of tsetse flies is crucial to design evidence-based and cost-effective strategies against animal trypanosomoses, and it is also important in eliminating the human form of the disease. Despite this, the latest maps of tsetse distribution in Africa were published several decades ago. The present publication provides an update on the geographical distribution of tsetse flies in Africa. A total of 669 scientific publications spanning a period of 31 years (1990–2020) provided the input data, and almost 7 400 distinct geographical locations were mapped. Tsetse flies were recorded from a maximum latitude of 15° North in Senegal, to a minimum of 28.5° South in South Africa. Data coverage is uneven, and no eligible publication was found for Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone or Somalia. A dearth of information also affects a few other countries, such as Angola, the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. At the level of tsetse species, relatively abundant data were identified for the species of major veterinary and public health importance, especially of the riverine (palpalis) and savannah (morsitans) groups. By contrast, limited information is available on many species of the forest (fusca) group. The continental atlas of tsetse flies, in combination with the upcoming component on animal trypanosomosis, can be used by policy makers, practitioners and scientists engaged in the control and elimination of tsetse flies and trypanosomosis in Africa. It also provides a blueprint for national authorities to develop country-level information systems (i.e. "national atlases") to assist planning and monitoring of control activities at the national and local levels.

Cite this content as:

Cecchi, G., Paone, M., de Gier, J. and Zhao, W. 2024. The continental atlas of the distribution of tsetse flies in Africa. PAAT Technical and Scientific Series, No. 12. Rome, FAO. 

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd2022en

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