Aspects of epidemiology of ectoparasite infestation of sheep and goats in Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 416 sheep and 624 goats under different management systems in peri-urban areas of Makurdi were examined for ectoparasite infestations for a period of 6 months, October to March 2004. Ninety one (21.9%) sheep and 149 (23.9%) goats were infested with various types of ectoparasites. Ectoparasites identified, and the number of sheep infested were ticks 37 (40.7%), fleas 20 (22.0%), lice 18 (19.8%) and mites 16 (17.6%). For goats, they were ticks 47 (31.5%), fleas 34 (22.8%), lice 39 (26.2%) and mites 29 (19.5%). The commonest species of ticks observed were, Rhipicephalus evertsi and Amblyomma variegatum while the commonest of mites was Psoroptes communis. Lignognathus species and Bovicola species were the lice observed, and the fleas was Ctenocephalidis felis. The level of infestation was highest in extensive (27.0%) and lowest in intensive (7.2%) systems of management. The possibility of transmission of arthropod borne pathogens to humans is high considering the common co-habitation of the animals and man. Routine and strategic control measures should be factored into production to increase profit and health.