Prevalence of Lungworm Infection of Small Ruminants in Assela and its Surroundings

Abstract

A cross-sectional study of lungworm infection was carried out from October 2009 to March 2010 with the aim of determining the prevalence of lungworm infection of small ruminants, identifying the species of the respiratory helminthes and to investigate some risk factors associated with lungworms of small ruminants in study area. Faecal examination was conducted by using modified Baermann technique on 384 animals; furthermore, postmortem examination was conducted on 84 animals. An overall prevalence of 59.9% and 63.1% was found by faecal and postmortem examinations, respectively. Prevalence of 71.9% and 57.5% was recorded in goats and sheep, and there was statistically significant difference (χ2 = 4.588, p < 0.05) between the prevalence’s. There was also statistically significant difference between prevalence of lungworms in female (64.2%) and male (51.1%) animals (χ2 = 5.7147, P < 0.05). Higher prevalence (67.2%) was observed in animals of less than or equal to one year of age than the prevalence (56%) in animals of greater than one year of age, and the difference between the prevalence was statistically significant (χ2 = 4.527, P < 0.05). Prevalence of 76.8%, 51.8% and 48.5% was recorded in animals of poor body condition, medium body condition and good body condition, respectively; the difference between the prevalence was statistically significant (χ2 = 26.957, P < 0.05). Higher level of prevalence of lungworms (71.4%) was recorded in animals which had respiratory symptom than the prevalence (52.9%) in animals which were apparently healthy; there was statistically significant difference between the prevalence (χ2 = 13.188, P < 0.05). Three species of lungworms including Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylus rufescens and Muelerius capillaries were detected, and Dictyocaulus filaria was isolated more frequently both by faecal and postmortem examinations. In conclusion, small ruminants are at risk due to lungworms in the study area; therefore farmers should be informed regarding the risk factors and to practice strategic deworming.

Keywords: Assela, Dictyocaulus filaria, Muellerius capillaris, Protostrongylus rufescens, Lungworms, Small ruminant, Ethiopia.