Journal of Entomology1812-56701812-5689Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/je.2007.20.32Glossina pallidipes and Hosts and their Implications on Risk of Transmission of Sleeping Sickness in Kenya]]>OkothS. O.KokwaroE.D. KiraguJ.M. MurillaG.A. 1200741Vector-host contact is a key epidemiological parameter in vector transmitted parasitic infections. The interaction between vectors and hosts is influenced by both environmental and endogenous factors that regulate their diurnal activity. In this study, effects of temperature, relative humidity and lax on the activity on tsetse flies and hosts were evaluated in two allopatric populations of G. pallidipes to estimate vector-host contact and risk of disease transmission within the dry and wet seasons. Results showed that vector activity was majorly influenced by temperature and relative humidity and the activity pattern was sensitive to seasons. Host movement significantly influenced vector movement in both dry and wet seasons at Nguruman, but only to a limited extent during the wet season at Busia. Host movement correlated positively with vector activity at high host densities while there was no definite correlation at low host densities. Vector-host contact was independent of prevailing weather conditions and seasons but was explained largely by random variability ascribable to innate spontaneous circadian rhythm of the vectors and the hosts. This implies that management of transmission risk in these two areas would largely depend on avoidance of contact between the vectors and hosts. This would require strategic livestock grazing patterns that is out-of-phase with peak vector activity periods to minimize contact.]]>Brady, J.,1970228286287Brady, J.,197266312312Brightwell, R., R.D. Dransfield, P. Stevenson and B. Williams,1997Glossina pallidipes and Glossina longipennis (Diptera: Glossinidae) subject to varying trapping pressure at Nguruman, South-West Kenya.]]>87349370Buxton, P.A.,1955pp: 816pp: 816Ford, J.,1971pp: 529-568pp: 529-568Hargrove, J.W. and J. Brady,1992Glossina sp.) (Diptera: Glossinidae) at low and high temperatures in nature.]]>82321326Harley, J.M.B.,1965Glossina pallidipes Aust., G. palpalis fuscipes Newst. and G. brevipalpis Newst.]]>572337Leak, G.A.S.,1999Makumi, J.N., C. Green and M. Baylis,1998Glossina longipennis: A field study using different sampling methods.]]>12399406Mohammed-Ahmed, M.M. and A. Odulaja,1997Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) along the shores of Lake Victoria, Kenya.]]>87179186Owaga, L.M.A., R.O. Okello and M. Chaudhury,1993Glossina austeni Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae) in the field and in the laboratory.]]>14701705Pollock, J.N.,19801980Tarimo, C.S.,1980Trypanosoma rhodesiense Sleeping sickness in lower Kitete, northern Tanzania, by cultural.]]>17376Vanderplank, F.L.,1941Glossina pallidipes and the lunar cycle (Diptera).]]>166164Van Etten, J.,1982Glossina pallidipes.]]>323845Wamwiri, F.N.,2005Glossina species (Glossinidae) from western Kenya.]]>2005