ABSTRACT
Human and animal tse-tse transmitted trypanosomiasis are still a major constraint to socio-economic development in a large part of Africa south of the Sahara. In many instances the classical methods to control trypanosomiasis and tsetse flies are too difficult or too expensive for application on the field. The search for new approaches is an urgent issue. Laboratory observations gave evidence that tsetse flies’ life and fecundity could be heavily affected by subcutaneous or oral administration of a new antibiotic, ivermectin, to the host. The drug has a broad-spectrum antiparasitic activity. Especially slow release formulations could have considerable application in tsetse control operations.
It is suggested that it should be worthwhile to undertake field experiments in Africa to assess the feasibility of the laboratory findings under african field conditions.
