The Prevalence Study of Ovine Fasciolosis in Jima Rare District, Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of ovine fasciolosis was conducted in Jima Rare District from January 2013 to June 2014. A total of 384 faecal samples were randomly collected directly from the rectum of individual animals. Parasitological investigation was performed using sedimentation technique. From a total of 384 coprologically examined sheep 214 animals were found positive for fasciolosis with an overall prevalence of 55.7%. Gemeda, Shumbo, kalo Guracha, Burka Hobo and Bekela Erer Peasant Associations (PAs) accounted for 47.36%, 50.6%, 64.47%, 58.97% and 57.14% respectively. The difference in the prevalence in the five PAs was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The prevalence of ovine fasciolosis was computed for the different age, sex and body condition categories. The prevalence rate of fasciolosis in young sheep 50.8% was less than in adults sheep 59.8% and the difference were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The prevalence of fasciolosis in two sex groups in the present study was 55.89%, 55.5% in female and male respectively. The difference in the prevalence was not significantly significant (p>0.05) .On the other hand in present study area the prevalence of fasciolosis was found to be higher in sheep with poor body condition than those with medium and good body condition ones with an overall prevalence of 67.8%, 51.8% and 43.68% respectively. There is no statically deference (p>0.05) between three types of BCS. It was concluded that ovine fasciolosis was prevalent, thus causing major economic loss in the study area. Hence, control strategies targeted on the parasite and the intermediate hosts as well as implementation of appropriate grazing management in the study area are warranted.