Ahmed Wodaje* and Zemenu Birhan
A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2017 up to April 2018 in and around Gondar town with the objectives of determining the prevalence and assessing the possible risk factors of lungworm infection in cattle. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 323 animal with the age of <2, 2-6 and >6 years old which were included in the study randomly. After collection, the samples were transported to the laboratory and examined for the presence of lungworm by baermann techniques. The overall prevalence of lungworm infection in the study was 2.8% (9 of 323) were found to be positive for lungworm. Age, gender, breed, body condition, origin and management systems were taken as risk factors for the occurrence of lungworm infection. There was statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in the prevalence of lungworm infection to different age of animals, breed or management system. However, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) between lungworm infection and gender, body condition or origin. Prevalence of 3% and 2.6% were observed in female and male respectively. Highest prevalence was observed in extensive management system (7.1%) as compared with semi-intensive (2.1%) and intensive (0%) management systems. In extensive (OR=2.228, CI=1.125-4.416) had higher odds of infection prevalence than intensive. Prevalence of 5.6%, 1.8% and 0 were observed in animals of <2 years of age, between 2-6 years and animals of above 6 years respectively. Animals less than two years (OR=1.811, 95% CI=1.061-3.092) had higher odds of infection prevalence than age group >6 years. In assessing the prevalence between breeds, it was found to be higher in cross breeds (4.8%) than local breeds (1.1%). In conclusion, prevalence of bovine lungworm in the study area is more associated with young stock in extensive and semi-intensive management systems. Therefore, integrated efforts towards good animal husbandry and animal health care, grazing management and regular strategic deworming of the whole herd with anthelimenthics rather than treating infested individuals are recommended.
Published Date: 2023-09-01; Received Date: 2023-06-26
