Epidemiological Survey and Assessing Control Models against Warble Fly Infestation in Goats and Cattle at Various Ecologies of Pakistan

Hypodermosis is a significant parasitic infection in cattle and goats in hilly and semi-hilly areas of Pakistan, Warble fly larval migration and emergence cause hide and skin perforation, leading to major economic losses in livestock and leather industries. The present research is designed to explore, Field epidemiology, Remote Data Collection and treatment control model of warble fly infestation in federating unit’s i.e. (Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber Pukhunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir) of Pakistan. The Veterinarians from 43 districts of Balochistan, AJK and Sindh gathered information regarding, epidemiology, life cycle, treatment from 171 livestock famers on pre- designed questionnaire. The warble fly larval prevalence trend showed lower prevalence (10.6%) than the previous ten years (13.02%). The prevalence was higher (between 2-27%) recorded in goats from Balochistan followed by Sindh (10%) and AJK (1%). Breed-wise higher prevalence was recorded in Cholistani cattle followed by Lohani, Red Sindhi. Friesian and Jersey breeds cattle were fond free of warble fly larvae infestation. In addition, the warble fly prevalence was also reported in Naserabad and Sibi areas of Balochistan. Three villages in each federating units were selected for establishing the therapeutic control models. In each federating units the animals were randomly divided into 4 groups i.e. A, B, C and D having 50 goats and 12 cattle in each group. The animals in A, B and C group were administered ivermectin 1% (1 ml/50 kg body weight) subcutaneously during August–September, while the D group was kept as a control. All the animals in treated groups were found free of warbles, while goats and cattle in control/untreated group showed (17-66%) prevalence. Warble fly prevalence was reported in Naserabad and Sibi areas of Balochistan, and Ivermectin during August and found 80-90% effective against warble fly larval infestation.