Study on the prevalence of Ovine fasciolosis in and around Dawa-Cheffa, Kemissie

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with Fasciolosis in three selected areas of Dawa Cheffa district of Amhara regional state from October 2009 to March 2010. Faecal samples from a total of 384 sheep were subjected to coprological investigation. Based on the coprological investigation the overall prevalence of fasciolosis was 188 (49%). High prevalence was recorded in poor body conditioned sheep 84 (73.7%). Statistical significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in prevalence among the body condition, deworming history and age of animals using coproscopy. Differences of prevalence in districts and sexes were shown to have no statistical significant (P > 0.05). Age, body condition and deworming activity were known to be among important risk factors associated with Fasciolosis. The present study revealed that infection of sheep by Fasciolosis was attributed to the presence of favorable environment for the abundance of intermediate host and the parasite, hence requiring immediate strategic intervention against the disease.