Prevalence of major ovine diseases and analysis of mortality in selected model sheep villages of south Gondar administrative zone, Ethiopia
by Open Science Repository Veterinary Medicine
(September 2013)
Abstract
A cross sectional and retrospective study designs were carried out from May 2008 to April 2012 in model sheep breeding villages of Farta and Lay-Gaint districts with the objective of identifying and determining the prevalence of major sheep diseases, to assess the magnitude of sheep mortality and recommend disease and mortality control options. Questionnaire survey and retrospective case study were undertaken to identify major sheep production constraints, prevailing sheep diseases and assess the magnitude of mortality. Retrospective study was employed for 184 (89 from Farta and 95 from Lay Gaint) diagnosed sheep from case registration book of respective districts and peasant associations (PA) veterinary clinics to collect information about the prevailing sheep diseases. Among diagnosed sheep diseases, Generalized septicemic condition (GSC) (13.0%), Fasciolosis (19.6%), Respiratory Disease Complex (RDC) (38.6%), Enteritis (22.6%), Sheep pox (12.0%), Orf (1.1%) and foot rot (2.2%) were the most widely diagnosed ovine diseases. On the other hand, the major identified internal parasites of sheep were
Strongyle spp (43.0%),
Tricuris spp (8.3%),
Fasciola spp (20.2%),
Schistosoma spp (1.7%),
Paramphistmum spp (21.5%),
Monezia spp (8.3%) and
Coccidia spp (5.0%). Only significant differences (P<0.05) was observed in Fasciolosis across study districts which showed higher prevalence of
Fasciola spp (23.5%) from Farta and relatively lower (15.1%) from Lay-Gaint district. EPG count shown that, 86.3% of sheep positive with nematode was categorized in the range of light infection (50-800 EPG) which depicts the level of nematode infection in the population was lower. Both
Mannheimia haemolytica serotypes A1 (33.1%), A2 (31.8%) and A7 (28.5) and
P. multocida A (6.6%) were found in the study areas. Comparison of sheep mortality over years and breed indicated higher mortality from all sheep breeds (Washera, Farta and their crosses) in the year 2009 and lower (6.3%) in 2012. In conclusion, the present high mortality rate and prevalence of sheep diseases were high to cause momentous economic losses in the study area. Therefore, strengthening the control effort was suggested.
Keywords: Farta, Lay-Gaint, mortality rate, sheep diseases.
Full text
Prevalence of major ovine diseases and analysis of mortality in selected model sheep villages of south Gondar administrative zone, Ethiopia