Study on Major Ectoparasjtes of. Small Riminants in Two Districts of Dire DAwa Aominlstrative Counci. Eastern Ethiopa
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Date
2010-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites in .small
ruminants and identify the potential risk factors associated with the problem in Dire Daw3
administrative council. Eastern Ethiopia. from October 2009 to April 2010. A total of 1152
animals were examined during this study. Out of 325 sheep and 827 goats examined. 93.8% of
sheep and 92.3% of goats were found to be infested with one or more species of ectoparasites..
ectoparasitesThe major ectoparasites identi fied were ticks (81 %). sarcoptic mange (7.7 %).
Linognatus species(3.4%) and fleas (0.6%) in sheep, and (78.4%) ticks. (6.8%) sarcoptic mange. (3.7%)
Linognathus pecies. (3%) demodectic mange and (I %) Ctenocephalides species in goats. Risk
factors such as agroecology of study site, body condition. age and sex of animals were considered
for analysis. In both sheep and goats the prevalence of tick and mange mite infestation was
significantly higher (P<O.OO I) in midland than in lowland while there was no difference for lice
and fleas. Similarly. in both species of animals. the prevalence of tick and mange mites
infestation was significantly higher in poor body conditioned animals while there was no
difference between good and poor body conditions for lice and fleas (P<O.OO I. 36 OR= 0.361).
Only lice infestation in goats showed association with sex of the animals. temales being more
susceptible than males ((P<0.022. OR= 0.286). Similarly. no association between prevalence and
age of animals was observed for ectoparasites except for lice in goats where more young animals
were affected than adults (P<O.O I. OR=0.277). Generally. ectoparasitism is highly prevalent in
small ruminants in the study area. Midland agro-ecology coupled with factors reducing the bod}
conditions of animals appear to have contributed for the higher prevalence.
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Keywords
Dire Dawa. Ectoparasites. GoalS, Sheep. Prevalence. Risk factors