Study on Prevalence of GI Nematodes in Indigenous Bonga Sheep Breed at Three Selected Agro Ecologies of Kaffa and Bench Maji Zones, Ethiopia

Abstract

The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Gastro Intestinal Tract (GIT) nematodes of Bonga indigenous sheep breed in three selected districts of Kaffa and Bench Maji zones of Southern Region from September 2010 - April 2011. Cross sectional study for prevalence determination using post mortem and fecal examination and longitudinal prospective study for characterization of the partial seasonal dynamics of nematodes was carried out in the study. A total of 60 animals were subjected to post mortem examinations and 2304 fecal samples were analyzed using standard coprological techniques (flotation and modified McMaster fecal worm egg counts). Questionnaire survey was conducted in randomly selected 6 PA’s and 60 households from three districts. Results from coprological examination revealed the overall prevalence of nematodes in Bonga sheep were 96.7%. During post mortem examination, four nematode species (Haemonchus contortus, 76.8%), (Oesophagostomum venulasum, 43.3%), (Bunostomum trigonocephalum, 30%) and (Trichostrongylus axei 25%), were identified. Fecal examination results in all study sites from population of Bonga sheep  during two sampling periods (early rainy and late dry) indicated significant differences in mean Egg count per Gram (EPG)  in the two season of the years (p<0.05). About 90 % of Bonga sheep had EPG value 5- 800 the remaining had 801-1200. Poly parasitism predominated in all study areas varying from 100% in Adio kaka, and 95% in N.Bench, 95% in Gimbo. . Absence of veterinary services and lack of helminthes control strategies were believed to be responsible for such higher worm prevalence in the areas. These findings indicate that nematode parasites are a serious threat to the existing small ruminant population and livestock productivity at large in these study districts and require an immediate professional intervention.

Key words: Gastro intestinal nematode species; Small ruminants; Prevalence; Egg per Gram