Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to April 2009 with the objectives of
determining the prevalence, identifying the species involved and assessing risk factors of gastrointestinal
parasites in sheep in Gemechis and Boke districts of west Harerghe zone, Ethiopia. Faecal samples were
collected from 384 sheep and examined coprologically. The study found that 86.2% sheep were found to harbor
one or more gastrointestinal parasites. The prevalence of various types of parasites in sheep were found to be
infected with Strongloid species (79.9%), Eimeria species (31.5%), Fasciola species (28.38%),
Paramphistomum species (15.9%), Moneizia species (13.8%) and Trichuris species (8.6%). Using the modified
MC Master method, an attempt was made to classify the severity of infection based on the level of Eggs Per
Gram (EPG). From studied animals 8(5.5%) sheep were severely infected, 50(34.2%) were highly infected and
the rest 60(41.1%) and 28(19.2%) were medium and lightly infected. There was statistically significant difference
(p<0.05) in infestation rate between the districts, age and body condition groups and no significant difference
(p>0.05) was observed between sex groups. The current study suggests that high prevalence of gastrointestinal
parasites in sheep and therefore we recommend that supplementation of important nutrient feed in dry season
is important to avoid stress conditions that affect the host resistance and susceptibility to parasitic diseases
and awareness creation to the farmers on the effect of gastrointestinal parasites of sheep and its control.
