Abstract

A study was conducted from August 2016 to November 2017 to investigate the prevalance of major ectoparasites of small ruminant and associated risk factors in fourteen districts found in the three Zones of Afar Regional State of Ethiopia. A total of 5376 small ruminants were examined to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites, includes 3696 goats and 1680 sheep. 1443 (39.00) goats and 839 (49.90) sheep were found infested with different ectoparasites. The result of the study showed that statically significant difference was found between species of sheep and goats in related to ectoparasite infestation. The overall prevalence of ectoparasite indiocates that 2282 (42.45) small ruminants were infested by ectoparasites. The most common ectoparasites encountered in order of their predominance were 1968 (36.6), 155 (2.88), 105 (1.95) and 54 (0.56 ) ticks, mange mites, lice and flea infestation, respectively. In the present study, five genera of ticks (Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Amblyomma and Boophilus), two genera of lice (Linognathus and Damalina) three genera of mites (Sarcoptes, Demodex and Psoroptes), and one genera of flea ctenocephalides were identified on the study animals. Rhipicephalus, Hylomma, Boophilus, Ambylomma was identified as the predominant genera. The prevalence of ectoparasite infestation for different age groups, sex and body condition score were found to vary significantly. In conclusion, among ectoparasites species recorded in the area ticks was found to be highly prevalent in sheep and goats. Tick was predominant followed by mite, lice and flea. The present study revealed an overall ectoparasite prevalence of 2282 (42.45) in both small ruminant species. Of this, 839 (49.9) and 1443 (39) was in sheep and goats, respectively. It also revealed that ticks, mites, lice and fleas are common ectoparasites in the study area. to reduce high prevalence of ectoparasites and their impact on the productivity in small ruminants requires immediate attention, control interventions. © 2020, Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research. All rights reserved