Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Camels (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>) from Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Somalia has the largest dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) population in the world. However, scientific research and camel diseases investigation in the country were lacking since 1980s. A total of 167 camels (131 semi-intensive dairy camels system and 36 free grazing systems) were sampled from three districts in Mogadishu citybetween December 2015 and March 2016 to investigate the prevalence rate of gastro-intestinal parasites in camels from Mogadishu city using different coprological techniques. The overall prevalence of camel gastro-intestinal parasites was 50.3%. The prevalence rate were significantly varies between the extensive and semi-intensive production systems (p = 0.000) and between the different districts (p = 0.000). Nematodes revealed higher prevalence rate (47.9%) than Cestodes (6.0%), Trematodes (4.2%) and Coccidia (0.65%). Eggs of eight genera of nematodes, two genera of trematodes and two genera of cestodes as well as Eimeria sp. Oocysts were identified in this study. Dictyocaulus sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. were the most prevalent followed by Parascaris equorum and Strongyloides sp. About 56.0% of the infected camels revealed mix-infection of up to five different parasite species. Moreover, 35.7% of these animals revealed heavy infection. The important role of the camel has inspired investigators and researchers to look for diseases that may threaten camel health and production. However, in Somalia in spite of having the largest counts of camels but in depth scientific data are not available. Therefore, the present paper was to be the first detailed data on camel gastro-intestinal parasites in Mogadishu area and may be in whole Somalia. We came to conclude that gastrointestinal parasites were highly prevalent in camels from Mogadishu particularly in nomadic herds of camels. Studies on the effect of gastro-intestinal parasites on camel production and productivity are recommended. Moreover, the intensive system of camel production should be encouraged.

Epidemiological Investigation of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Dromedary Camels in Administrative Zone Three of Afar Region, Ethiopia

“…The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in camels slaughtered at Akaki abattoir which originated from different pastoral areas of Ethiopia is 55.5% [ 20 ]. Different studies out of Ethiopia were conducted and reported a prevalence of 48.26%, 60%, 17.2%, 69.3%, 50.3%, and 60.70% which are lower than those of the present study report [ 13 , 16 , 21 – 23 ]. Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites of camels was 80.73%, and 100% in Yabelo district, and in Addis Ababa abattoir, and camels originated from Borena and Metahara, respectively [ 15 ].…”

“…Accordingly, the prevalence was 80.20% in Amibara, but it was 63.08% in Gewane district ( p value <0.05; OR = 0.37). In line with this, the authors in [ 16 , 23 ] indicated that origin of camels is significantly associated with the prevalence of GIT parasites. Environmental determinants of disease such as husbandry, healthcare services, temperature, and grazing habits are variable in different locations, and therefore the prevalence of GIT parasites could be different.…”

Diversity and prevalence of parasitic infestation with zoonotic potential in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and fat-tailed sheep (dhumba) in Bangladesh

“…in dromedary. These genera of parasites were similar to the reports from Jordan, India, Pakistan, Somalia and Tanzania [12,13,16,17,18].…”

Investigations on Gastrointestinal Parasites in Camels Rearing in Nineveh Governorate

“…While, Anvari-Tafti, et al [5] recorded 75.1% in Iran. Ibrahim et al [16] reported 50.3% in camels in Somalia. Differences in these results may attributed to geographical, climatic factors and perhaps to the population samples in these studies.…”

“…This results are controversial with that of Al-Taee et al [26] in South Iraq who reported 56.1% infection rate for mixed infection in camels. Ibrahim et al [16] reported that 56.0% of the infected camels revealed mix-infection of different parasites species in Somalia.…”