Epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminthiasis of rift valley goats under traditional husbandry system in Adami Tulu District, Ethiopia

Abstract

The prevalence, mean intensity, relative density of helminth species and the effects of environmental factors, sex and maturity of host on seasonal dynamics in relative density of helminthes ova in Rift Valley goats were investigated from July 1997 to June 1998. Ten nematode and three cestode species were identified. Haemonchus contortus was the most prevalent followed by Strongloides papillosus and Trichostrongylus sp. with prevalence rate of 66.5%, 36.1% and 30.4% and mean intensities and relative densities of 1139.9, 503.7, 434.8 and 344.9, 82.8, 60.1, respectively. Moniezia expansa showed 32.2% prevalence rate and 545.2 and 79.6 mean intensity and relative density, respectively. Mixed infestation was common to Rift Valley goats. About 2.8%, 6.2%, 15.8%, 21.6% and 23.7%, of the examined goats harbored multiple infestations varying from five to one species, respectively. Maturity and sex of hosts influenced seasonal variations in relative density of helminthes species. Female hosts harbored higher relative densities (p<0.005, r2 = 0.91) than male hosts and young hosts harbored significantly higher (p<0.0001, r2 = 0.95) than adult ones. The egg output in July was significantly different (p<0.0001) than other months except in June. The results show that mixed parasite infestation was common in goats. The highest peak of helminthes egg densities coincided with the big rainy season followed by the short rainy season. Therefore, the use of appropriate treatment before and after the rainy season could be a useful strategy to alleviate the problem. Moreover, more attention is needed for young and female goats, as they are the most affected groups.


Key words/phrases: Eggs, epidemiology, mean intensity, relative density, Rift Valley goats, traditional husbandry


SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol.25(1) 2002: 35-44