Identification of Small Ruminant Ecto-parasites in Southern Zone of Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Many ecto-parasites are known to be a vector of pathogens which transmit different diseases to hosts while feeding, or occasionally they may also cause great defect to the hides and skins of different animal populations in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2014 to January 2015 with aim to identify potential small ruminant external parasites and their underlining risk factors in southern zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia. A total of 467 animals of which 250 sheep and 217 goats were examined for the identification of different external parasites from three districts namely Raya- Alamata, Raya -Azebo and Ofla representing different agro ecologies. The overall prevalence of the external parasites in sheep and goats were ticks 364 (77.9%), sheep ked 51 (10.9%), fleas 35(7.5%) and lice 17(3.6%). The prevalence of external parasites vary significantly (P< 0.001) across animal species. The prevalences were: ticks 79.7%, Lice 6.9% and fleas12.9%. The prevalence was comparatively higher in goats than sheep. The prevalence of external parasites shows significant association (P< 0.001) between agro ecology, species of animal and age of animals. Accordingly, the prevalence of ticks was higher in low land (100%) followed by midland (78.8%) whereas the prevalence of sheep ked and fleas were found higher in high land; 24.4% and 17.9%, respectively. On the other side, lice were found higher in mid-land. In general, sheep ked, lice and fleas were not found in lowland. Adults 321 (82.1%) were more affected than younger age 43 (56.6%). Generally, six genera of ticks were identified: (Rhipicephalus 340 (72.8%), Hyalomma 15 (3.2%), Dermacenter 4 (0.9%) Heamophysalis 3 (0.6%) and Ambylomma 2 (0.4%), and (Linognathus 17 (3.6%), fleas (Ctenocephalides canis 35 (7.5%), sheep ked Mallophaga ovinus 51 (10.9%) were identified. The presence of varied genera of parasites across different predisposing factors increase its burden these insights for different control and prevention protocol of external parasites.