Ovine Lung Worm Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Merhabete District, North Shoa, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was carried out from October to December 2011 with the objectives of determining the prevalence of ovine lungworms and assessing the associated potential risk factors in Merhabete district, North Shoa Administrative Zone, Amhara National Regional State. A total of 384 faecal samples were collected from randomly selected sheep for the examination of first stage larvae using modified Beermann technique. Of these 52.34% were found positive for lungworm infection. The lungworm parasites identified were include D. filarial, M. capillaries and mixed infection with prevalence of 35.42%, 7.55% and 9.37%, respectively. Among the potential risk factors assessed in the present study clinical signs, body condition and agro-climate were found to have significant association and play important role in the occurrence of lungworm infection. The prevalence was higher in animals showing clinical signs (67.77%), having poor body condition (63.89%), and originated from midland (57.95) than others. However, there was no statistically significant (p>0.05) between the occurrence of ovine lungworm and the factors sex and age groups. In conclusion, this study indicated that lungworms are important internal parasites in the study area which impairs the productivity of sheep, implying the need for control intervention.