Acta Parasitologica Globalis Study on Prevalence of Ovine Lungworm in Gomma District, Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Gomma district, Jimma Zone from November, 2014 to March, 2015. The purposes of study were to determine the prevalence and identification of species lungworm circulate in study sites in ovine through coproscopic and associated risk factors for lung worm infection occurrences. Samples were randomly collected from 384 sheep of different age groups of both sexes, kept under extensive management systems and examined using a Modified Baerman technique. Of these animals 201 were found to be positive for lungworm infection with an overall prevalence of 52.3%. The prevalence of species of lungworm in infected sheep were Dictyocaulus filaria (32.0 %), Muellerius capillaries (9.1%), Protostrongylus rufescens (4.4%) and 6.7 % of mixed infection. Therefore, Dictyocaulus filaria was also found to be the dominant lungworm species. There was statistically significant difference (P< 0.05) observed in infection rates between the study sites. Analysis on the basis of age and body condition of the animals indicated that there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) observed between young and adult (X =7.304, P =0.007) with 2 the prevalence of 59.5 % and 45.7%, respectively and animal with poor condition more affected than moderate and good with their respective 65.8%, 44.4% and 36.0% prevalence. There was also highly significant difference (P<0.05) between animals that have manifested clinical respiratory signs and that do not manifest with the prevalence of 91.2 % and 12.6 %, respectively. In conclusion, the present study revealed that lungworms belong to the major parasites that affect the health and productivity of sheep in the area; therefore, attention should be given for the control and prevention of lungworm infections.