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Prevalence of sheep and goat coccidiosis in different districts of Tigray region, Ethiopia


K. Etsay
S. Megbey
H. Yohannes

Abstract

Prevalence study of coccidiosis was conducted in Mekelle, Regional state of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, using a cross sectional approach. A total of 384 faecal samples were examined, the overall positive for the parasite was 86.19% of which, 87.31%, in sheep and 85.03% in goats. Sex and species did not significantly influence (p > 0.05) the trend of infection. The prevalence of identified pathogenic species present in sheep were Eimeria crandallis 5(3.22%), E. ovindallis 8(5.16%) and mixed infection 142(82.59.6%). The prevalence of pathogenic species from goats were E. arloingi 27 (30 %), E. ninakohlyakimovae 12(13.33%), E. christenseni 8(8.89%) and mixed 43(47.78%) infections. There was significant (p < 0.05) difference observed in prevalence of coccidia spp. in Mocharae compared with the other study sites. The overall prevalence of pathogenic Eimeria species was 63.8 %, while the prevalence of that in sheep and goats were 78.68% and 48.13% respectively. Species, sex and age of animals in this case significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the prevalence of pathogenic Eimeria species. The females (74.87%) significantly (p < 0.05) had higher infection rates than males (53.3%). Animals of age 3 months (91.13%) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence rates than 4-6 months (59.86%) and 7-12 months (38.94%). Conclusively, prevention and effective control programs should be targeted towards the most predisposed females and younger animals.


Keywords: Eimeria; Coccidiosis; Prevalence; Oocyst; Small Ruminant


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eISSN: 1119-4308