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The Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Control Unit (TTCU) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Zambia has just published a new national atlas of the distribution of tsetse flies and animal trypanosomosis. All TTCU data collected from April 2009 to July 2025 were systematically assembled, georeferenced and harmonised. Both mobile and stationary trapping devices were used to collect tsetse data, and the buffy coat technique was used to detected animal trypanosomosis. Five species and subspecies of Glossina were detected: G. morsitans morsitans (65% of the catches), G. morsitans centralis (32%), G. pallidipes (2%), G. fuscipes martinii (0.8%) and G. brevipalpis (0.2%). As for AAT, 7652 animals (7348 cattle, 294 goats and 10 dogs) were tested in 148 locations. Of these, 329 animals (321 cattle, 7 goats and 1 dog) were found to be infected, with a prevalence of 4.37%. Trypanosoma congolense accounted for the highest number of infections (86%), with T. vivax and T. brucei representing 12% and 2% of the total infections, respectively.

Following the example of the FAO continental atlas, the TTCU has embraced an open data policy, with the detailed datasets of the national atlas made freely available. This will enhance data findability, accessibility, interoperability and reuse for greater impact.

Read paper: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07086-2