Clinical survey on major ruminant diseases in Kola Tembein and Tanqua Abergelle Districts, Central Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Diseases are the major detriment in ruminant production and productivity in the study districts. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the major animal health constraints of ruminants. 461 species of sick ruminants were examined and diagnosed tentatively. Similarly, samples were collected and identified in the laboratory for confirmation of the cases. Of the clinically identified ruminant diseases, sheep and goat pox (11.93%), abortion (8.24%), pasteurellosis (8.46%), lice infestation (9.98%), tick infestation (5.86%), and flea infestation (5.21%) accounted for higher values. The proportion of infectious, non-infectious, ectoparasitic infestation, and reproductive diseases among clinically sick ruminants was 51.63, 9.97, 26.25, and 12.15%, respectively. The higher ectoparasitic infestation in the study district was lice infestation (38.02%) followed by tick (22.31%), flea (19.83%), mange mite (11.57%), and leech infestation (8.26%). The reproductive problems encountered were abortion (67.86%), retained placenta (25%), and dystocia (7.14%). The most prevalent infectious diseases encountered were sheep and goat pox (23.11), pastuerellosis (16.39), gastrointestinal tract parasitism (13.03), and anthrax (6.30). The most encountered non-infectious diseases were abscess (28.26) and bloat (17.39). In conclusion, infectious diseases and external parasites cause serious economic loss in the study districts. So, regular surveillance of animal disease coupled with vaccination of animals with available vaccines, regular spraying of acaricides and more importantly, public awareness in prevention and control of major livestock diseases in the districts is recommended.

Goat pasteurellosis: serological analysis of circulating Pasteurella serotypes in Tanqua Aberegelle and Kola Tembien Districts, Northern Ethiopia

“…[ 10 ] Have found a prevalence of 21.9% which is below to our study. In the current study the prevalence is higher as compared to previous report (8.46%) by [ 6 ] in the same study districts. This high prevalence in our study may be due to high environmental stress factors (heat, drought, feed and water shortages) in the study districts since 2015.…”

“…A 5% absolute precision and 95% confidence interval was used to determine the sample size. An expected prevalence of 8.46% was taken to determine the maximum sample size [ 6 ]. Accordingly, 119 animals were used for the present study.…”

Survey on Mite Infestations in Small Ruminants in Kindo Didaye District, Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…On the other hand, the prevalence of mite infestation in the current study was lower than the findings of Guash et al, 24 Fesseha et al, 25 Ambilo and Melaku 26 ; Agumas et al, 12 and Asmare et al 5 who reported an overall prevalence of 11.57%, 34.6%, 34.56%, 40%, and 41.76% in different parts of Ethiopia, respectively. The variation in the prevalence of mange mite infestation in different areas of the country might be related to changes in agro-climate conditions as well as management systems.…”

“…The prevalence of mite infestation was relatively higher than that reported by Mandado et al, 21 who reported a prevalence of 4.67% and species-level prevalence of 2.67% Sarcoptes, 1.33% Demodex, and 0.67% mixed (Sarcoptes and Demodex); Pal et al, 22 who reported a prevalence of 4.68% and species-level prevalence of 2.08% Sarcoptes, 1.83% Demodex, and 0.78% mixed (Sarcoptes and Demodex); Dansure and Belay, 23 who reported a prevalence of 3.11% and species-level prevalence of 1.92% for Sarcoptes, 1.02% for Demodex, and 0.11% mixed infestation; and Sheferaw et al, 2 who reported a prevalence of 3.98% and species-level prevalence of 2.61% Sarcoptes 1.23% Demodex and 0.14% mixed infestation. On the other hand, the prevalence of mite infestation in the current study was lower than the findings of Guash et al, 24 Fesseha et al, 25 Ambilo and Melaku 26 ; Agumas et al, 12 and Asmare et al 5 who reported an overall prevalence of 11.57%, 34.6%, 34.56%, 40%, and 41.76% in different parts of Ethiopia, respectively. The variation in the prevalence of mange mite infestation in different areas of the country might be related to changes in agro-climate conditions as well as management systems.…”

Goat flock abortion: a retrospective study at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

“…One of the major constraints to goat production in Tanqua Aberegelle district is high occurrence of abortion cases [ 5 ]. Farmers and experts have consistently reported a significant number of abortions annually, raising concerns about the underlying factors contributing to this issue.…”