Tsetse biology and ecology: their role in the epidemiology and control of trypanosomiasis.

Books & Electronic Media Tsetse biology and ecology: their role in the epidemio- logy and control of trypanosomiasis by Stephen G.A. Leak. Published by CABI Publishing and ILRI, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England, 1998, 570 pages. This monograph on the biology and ecology of the tsetse fly, which is directed at medical and veterinary entomologists, epidemiolo- gists and parasitologists, provides a full account of Glossina spp. and the various aspects of animal trypanosomiasis and human sleeping sickness. In addition it illustrates the effects of African trypano- somes on rural development. The book is divided into four parts. The first part consists of a systematic account of the current state of understanding about the biology, behaviour, and population dynamics of the tsetse fly. Each aspect is presented clearly, with up-to-date informa- tion and a comprehensive bibliography. The second part covers tsetse fly epidemiology. The essentials of the host- parasite relationship are described and the importance of this relationship is illustrated using the epidemiology of the human and animal diseases that result from it. The subsequent description of trypanosomiasis in different endemic areas illustrates the diver- sity of epidemiological parameters and their influence on the development and conse- quences of the disease. Through didactic comments on many of the bibliographical references, the author makes clear to the reader the kind of questions that are being asked today about trypanosomiasis and the hypotheses that are put forward to answer them. Part three consists of a description of the current vector control techniques and strategies being applied to deal with tsetse flies. The principles behind the available techniques are outlined and the practical problems that are encountered are clearly explained. The last part of the book deals with the various aspects of chemotherapy in the control of trypanosomiasis in domestic live- stock. The book has an extensive bibliography of over 2000 references, which are usefully summarized and discussed in the text. The author is an eminent specialist who has worked for many years at the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, and this monograph is the product of his considerable knowledge and experience in applying scientific advances to the day-to-day control of trypanosomiasis. Despite its high density of information, the book is easy to read and is a welcome addition to the literature on the subject. n Jean Jannin Epidemic Diseases Control Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response World Health Organization 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland 450 # World Health Organization 1999 Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 1999, 77 (5)