Lungworms in small ruminants in Burie district, Northwest Ethiopia

About half of small ruminant mortality and morbidity in Ethiopian highlands is caused by endoparasites including lungworms. The updated epidemiology of these parasites in different parts of the country is important to adopt local control measures. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of small ruminant lungworms, identify associated risk factors and the species of lungworms involved in small ruminants infection in Burie district, in the northwest Ethiopia. The study involved a cross-sectional coproscopic examination of 384 small ruminants randomly selected from the district from December 2016 to March 2017. An overall prevalence of 23.4% lungworms in small ruminants was recorded. The prevalence was significantly higher in goats (36.3%) than in sheep (15.5 %) (OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.95.0; p<0.05), and in young animals (35.6%) than in adults (14.7%) (OR=3.2, 95% CI=2.0-5.2; p<0.05). Dictyocaulus filaria was relatively the most prevalent species (38.9%) in the study area followed by Muellerius capillaries (26.7%), mixed infections (17.8%) and Protostrongylus rufescens (16.5%). The study revealed a high prevalence of lungworms in Burie district that needs attention of farmers and animal health service providers. Awareness of farmers about the problem and appropriate herd health management including strategic deworming of small ruminants that make use of risk factors identified in this study is suggested. Due to its high prevalence and severe pathogenicity, Dictyocaulus filaria, should be the primary target of control in the study area. Further study on seasonality of the parasite is needed to get more accurate information that helps for designing appropriate control strategy.