Abstract
Helminth parasite infections in sheep are of major veterinary importance in many agro-ecological zones and are a primary factor in the productivity of sheep. The main objective of this study was to determine helminth parasites prevalence and their economic loss caused on sheep with its control approach at the study area. A cross-sectional study using a simple random sampling procedure was used to study helminth parasite identification at Gudaya Bila district during 2022 in two seasons of the year: winter (January - March) and summer (June - August). Out of 384 sheep chosen at random sampling from five Kebeles in the Gudaya Bila district (Welenelemu, Harogodisa, Chalejima, Hagelogidami, and Bila) that underwent flotation and sedimentation procedures, about 149 were infected by ay helminth parasites, with an overall prevalence 38.8%. Regarding the distribution of helimenth parasites at the class level, the prevalence was 13.9%, 11.7%, and 3.9% in trematoda, nematode, and cestoda, respectively. The helminth species that had highest prevalence were Fasciola species (19.5%), Haemonchus species (14.76%), Strongyloides species (10.74%), and Schistosoma species (9.4%), and those that had the least prevalence were Moniezia species (6.04%), Paramphistomum species (5.4%), Taenia species (4.02%), Nematodirus species (3.3%) and Trichostrongylus species (1.34 %). The summer season was favorable for helminths parasite transmission.
The prevalence of helminths in the summer season was 98 (25.5%), and in the winter season it was 51 (13.3%). The study shows that the gastrointestinal helminth parasite was a major health problem and had an impact on the production of sheep in the study area. Therefore, a detailed study should be conducted to identify the parasite at the species level, and further investigation will be needed to study the association of the prevalence of helminth parasites within age, sex and the agroecology of sheep in the area. Then educating the people about the impacts of helminths is needed to control them.
Author Contributions
Copyright© 2023
Tesema Gemeda, et al.
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Competing interests The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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Materials And Methods
The study was conducted at the Gudaya Bila district in the East Wallaga zone, Oromia region, 330 km West of Addis Ababa, which located at 105 km North East of Nekemte which is the capital town of East Wallaga ( A cross-sectional study was used to determine the prevalence of helminths parasites in sheep based on two seasons (winter and summer) of year examination. A study was done on 384 sheep chosen at simple random sampling from five kebeles (Smalll administrative unit in Ethiopia) in the Gudaya Bila district (Welenelemu, Harogodisa, Chalejima, Hagelogidami, and Bila). Gudaya Bila district have 13 kebeles from those kebeles five kebeles were selected purposefully based on the sheep production. The sample size was determined using the simple random sampling formula given by Where, N = required sample size, Pexp = Expected prevalence (50%), d = desired absolute precision (0.05). Pexp = Expected prevalence (50%) is used since the other research concerned with the helminths parasites is not carried out at the study area. Accordingly, 384 samples are needed, so 384 sheep were sampled and examined. For carrying out this research 80 people were purposively selected from the five study Kebeles. Those people selected from the study area are the sheep house holders. A total of 384 faecal samples were collected from sheep in various locations around the districts from five designated kebeles. Faecal samples are carefully collected from the rectum of sheep using protective sterile disposable gloves into clean and placed in a sample collecting bottle and labelled Data was collected through questionnaires on how the local people can control the helminths parasite traditionally and the economic impacts of those helminths on the sheep. This questionnaire was prepared in English and translated in to Afan Oromo. Two different types of faecal qualitative testing are flotation and sedimentation were used for identification of nematodes, cestodes and trematodes. The flotation technique in saturated NaCl solution for nematodes and cestodes and sedimentation for trematode procedures are used to assess the faecal samples as a flotation agent, zinc sulphate solution was utilized (Foriet, 1999) Data management and analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 22. Data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using proportion with P The livestock farmers whose animals were inspected verbally agreed to take part in the study. Informed consent was obtained from the owner of the selected sheep prior to inclusion in the study. Confidentiality of all information obtained from respondents was assured by safely and securely storing the questionnaires.
Results
In this study a total of 80 informants 71 (91.25%) male and 7 (8.5%) female informants were involved. The age of informants ranges from 40-75. But, the majority of the informants are ranges from 50-70. Regarding the educational status, the majority of informants were not educated 59 (73.75 %) but only 21 (26.25%) are educated. A total of 384 sheep were sampled and examined for helminths parasites and about 149 (38.8%) were found infected with one and/or more parasites. The prevalence of helminths species that are exist at the study area in the male and female sheep from Nematoda, Trematoda and Cestoda by sex of sheep are shown in The frequency distribution of helminth species among sheep in the study area are shown by The mixed helminth species which can affect the health of sheep are shown in Among the four nematodes species exist at the study area based on sex, Among the three trematodes species prevalence rate based on the sex at the study area Among the two species of Cestoda based on sex, the According to the result obtain from the veterinary laboratory from the five study kebele, the sheep is mostly affected by helminths in Hagelogidami which accounts for 57 (14.84%) from this the helminths are According to the result obtain from the veterinary laboratory from the five study kebele, the sheep is mostly affected by helminths in Hagelogidami which accounted for 57 (14.84%) from this the helminths were According to the result obtain from the veterinary laboratory from the five study kebele, the sheep is mostly affected by helminths in Hagelogidami which accounted for 57 (14.84%) from this the helminths are Helminths parasites of the sheep infection in two season of the year are shown by Based on the data on the overall prevalence of infection during the study two different seasons indicated maximum data is obtained during summer 25.52%and about 13.28%is obtained in winter season.There is a variations in seasonal prevalence among different parasite groups, with trematodes ,nematodes and cestodes showing highest prevalence of 39.78%,24.48% and 12.24% respectively during summer season, and mixed infections recording a about the prevalence of 23.5% during summer. But in the winter season the prevalence of such species of helminths infection is 41.18%, 23.535% and 5.88%, nematodes, trematodes and cestodes respectively; the mixed infection records about the prevalence of 29.41% during winter season. Except those mixed infection the infection of each parasites groups have high prevalence during the summer season. The cross sectional study carried out in winter and summer season result indicates that helminths species parasite mostly affects the sheep in summer season. As stated on the above table-6 mostly helminthes species are common exist in the summer season than in winter season. From 384 sheep examined about 149 (38.8%) sheep are infected by helminths parasites. From this total over all infection of parasites about 98 (25.5%) are infected in summer season and about 51 (13.3%) are infected in the winter season. Helminths species that are mostly infect sheep at the summer season are Those traditional medicines are used at the study area are The livestock industry contributes significantly to the economy and has a great potential to help with economic growth by supplying meat, milk, other food products, cultivation power, transport, security in times of crop failure, and farm yard manure (fertility and energy), as well as playing a significant role in export commodities. But, if they can be affected by the disease there is the cause of economic loss on the product obtained from the livestock and the income obtained from them is also affected. Then the helminths disease can affect the health of the sheep by affecting product obtain from them and income through selling them. Based on the laboratory results the helminths class that cause economic loss are Trematoda 51 (34.23 %), Nematode 45 (30.2 %), Cestoda 15 (10.07 %) and the combination of them are accounts about 38 (25.23%). Based on this Trematoda and Nematode are the highest helminths that cause economic loss, the next of them is the combination of all parasitic helminths and Cestoda is the least cause of economic loss at the study area. According to data obtained from the people at the study area way of the helminths can affect the health of sheep are abdominal distention 27.5%, Diarrhoea 22.5%, gastrointestinal damage 21.25%, absorption of nutrients 18.5% and Gastroenteritis 16.5% ( ETB – Ethiopian Birr
40-50
16
20.0
51-60
27
33.7
61-70
33
41.3
71-75
4
5.0
Male
73
91.3
Female
7
8.7
Not able to read and write
59
73.8
1-4
13
16.2
5-8
8
10
Helminths Species identified
Number of infected
Percentage
29
7.6
14
3.6
8
2.1
6
1.6
9
2.3
Nematoda
22
5.7
16
4.2
5
1.3
2
0.5
Mixed infections
3
0.9
8
2.1
6
1.6
5
1.3
11
2.9
5
1.3
Winter (December, January and February)
384
51(13.28%)
Trematoda
6
11.8%
5
9.8%
1
1.96%
Total
12
23.56%
Nematoda
12
23.53%
7
1.72%
-
-
2
3.91%
Total
21
41.18%
Cestoda
2
3.92%
1
1.96%
Total
3
5.88%
Mixed infection
15
29.41%
Summer( June, July and August)
98(25.52%)
Trematoda
23
23.47 %
9
9.2%
7
7.14%
Total
39
39.78%
Nematoda
10
10.2%
9
9.18%
2
2.14%
3
3.06%
Total
24
24.48%
Cestoda
7
7.14%
5
5.1%
Total
12
12.24%
Mixed infection
23
23.47%
Total
149(38.8%)
149
38.8%
Symptoms available
Number
Percentage
Diarrhoea
18
22.5
Gastroenteritis
13
16.5
gastrointestinal damage
17
21.25
abdominal distention
22
27.5
absorption of nutrients
15
18.5
Total
80
Value lost from sheep due to helminths parasites
Estimated losses per annual in ETB
Percentage
Meat production
20,000
27.4%
Buying anthelminthic
12,000
16.44%
Death of sheep
10,000
13.99%
Slow growth rate
25,000
34.25%
Morbidity
15,000
20.55%
Total
73,000
Discussion
The overall occurrence of helminthes from the total of 384 sheep at the study area is about 149 (38.8 %) are infected with one or more helminths. However, higher prevalence was observed in the study conducted by Tesfaheywet Zeryehun The study conducted by Shimelis Dagnachew From the Nematoda species The overall prevalence of infection during the study two different seasons indicated maximum data is obtained during summer (25.52%) and about (13.28%) is obtained in winter season. This indicates that summer season is favorable for the helminths transmission than in the winter season. The study conducted by Rajakaruna and Warnakulasooriya There is a variation in seasonal prevalence among different parasite groups, with trematodes, nematodes and cestodes showing highest prevalence of 39.78%, 24.48% and 12.24% respectively during summer season, and mixed infections recording about the prevalence of 23.5% during summer. But in the winter season the prevalence of such species of helminths infection is 41.18%, 23.535% and 5.88%, nematodes, trematodes and cestodes respectively; the mixed infection records about the prevalence of 29.41% during winter season. Except those mixed infection the infection of each parasites groups have high prevalence during the summer season. According to the research conducted Ummey The infections of the group of parasites have high prevalence during the summer season but there is slight difference with my obtaining data. This difference may be due to climatic factor of the study area, geographic location, immunity of the sheep to resist the parasites in different season, the sample size considered, types of techniques utilized, and lack of intervention with anthelmintic. The cross sectional study carried out in winter and summer season result indicates that helminths species parasite mostly affects the sheep in summer season. From 384 sheep examined about 149 (38.8%) sheep are infected by helminths parasites. From this total over all infection of parasites about 98 (25.5%) are infected in summer season and about 51 (13.3%) are infected in the winter season. Then this make that the sheep is mostly affected in the summer season than winter season by different species of helminths. This is agree with research conducted by Debela At the study area peoples can have their own way of controlling the helminths through medicinal plants. At the study area the knowledge of using medicinal plant is practice like Bonga communities as state by Solomon Shiferaw The tobacco or Based on the data table 8 obtained from the respondents the most economic loss caused by helminths are slow growth rate, meat production, Morbidity, buying anthelminthic and death of sheep. Out of the 73,000 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) cost lost due to helminths about 25,000 ETB and 20,000 ETB is lost through slow growth rate and meat production. Due to Morbidity and buying anthelminthic about 15,000 ETB and 12,000 ETB is lost. Death of the sheep can be cause economic loss about 10,000 ETB per annual. This estimation is based on the response of the respondent s sheep householder. This indicate that helminths can affect the economy of the societies through affecting meat production which means decrease productivity, weight loss, buying anthelminthic, slow growth rate, death of sheep and morbidity. In general, helminths can cause economic loss through reduced productivity and increased mortality. The study is in agreement with the research conducted by Perry From data obtained from the study area helminths class based laboratory examination that cause economic loss from the total of 149 helminths species were Trematoda 51 (34.23%), Nematode 45 (30.2%), Cestoda 15 (10.07%) and the combination of them were accounts about 38 (25.23%). Based on this Trematoda and Nematode were the highest helminths that cause economic loss, the next of them is the combination of all parasitic helminths and Cestoda was the least cause of economic loss at the study area. This study agreed with study conducted by Tesfaye Sheep represent an important source of income in many countries
Conclusion
Helminthosis is a major constraint to animal health and productivity, causing significant and insidious economic losses. The helminths infections with trematode and nematode parasites are high prevalence of infection, whereas the Cestoda parasites are least prevalence of infection are identified. Based on their species trematodes species that are Fasciola species, Schistosoma species and Paramphistomum species are identified; nematodes species Haemonchus species, Strongyloides species, Nematodirus species and Trichostrongylus species and the cestodes species are Moniezia species and Taenia species are identified. The species that have high prevalence are Fasciola species, Haemonchus species and Strongyloides species, while Nematodirus species and Trichostrongylus species have the least prevalence. From the five study kebele, the sheep is mostly affected by helminths in Hagelogidami, Chalejima and Welenelemu kebele, whereas Bila and Harogodisa are the two kebeles which are least affected.The prevalence of helminths during the season helminths have high prevalence during the summer season than winter season. Due to these adverse effects associated with the use of commercial anthelminthic, the community is trying to search the other alternative of helminth control strategies which is the use of medicinal plants to control helminths. As a result traditional anthelmintic medicinal plants could contribute a lot to the treatment to control parasitic helminths in animals, and from the five kebeles of the study area 11 plant species identified were used as to control helminths parasites.