Prevalence And Intensity Of Ectoparasites Of Livestock In Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Five areas in Lagos State, Nigeria (Ojo, Mushin, Ikorodu, Badagry and Ajeromi) were randomly sampled for ectoparasites of livestock. On 600 livestock (200 Cattle, 200 sheep and 200 goats), Ticks (Amblyloma variegatum) had 59.1% prevalence, Cattle lice (Haematopinus eurystermus) and (Linognathus vituli) both had a prevalence of 78.5% while Mites infestations with (Sarcoptei scabei) had 10.5% prevalence. Ticks had the highest geometric mean intensity of infection (660 ticks/ Lagos areas) while Mites had the lowest geometric mean intensity of infection (111 Scabs /Lagos areas). Prevalence and intensity of livestock ectoparasites was highest in Mushin and Badagry areas. Health education was carried out as a strategy to control the prevalence of ectoparasites in Lagos areas. There was compliance to the health interventions.

Keywords: kEctoparasites, Lagos, Ticks, Lice, prevalence, intensity.

The Zoologist Vol. 6 2008: pp. 34-38