Epidemiological Study on the Prevalence of Helminth Parasites of Cattle in Guangua District, Awi zone of Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia

Authors: Abaynew Gelaye and Haben Fesseha*

DOI: 10.23880/eij-16000166

Volume 4, Issue 6

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangua district, Awi zone of Amhara Regional State, North West Ethiopia, from July 2019 to March 2020 to determine the prevalence of helminth parasites in cattle. A total of 460 randomly selected cattle were sampled and examined using standard coprological procedures. The current study result revealed that 54.13% (n=249/460) of cattle in the study area harbor one or more species of parasites. In the current study of qualitative fecal sample analysis, about 13 species of helminth parasites were detected. These gastrointestinal helminth parasites of cattle identified in the study area were Nematodes 48 (10.44%); (Ascaris, Coopera, Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Ostertagia, Strongyles, Thelazia, Trichostrongylus), Trematodes 145 (31.52%); (Fasciola, Paramphistomum, Schistosoma) and Cestodes 6 (1.30%); (Monezia) and mixed infections 50 (10.87%), with the prevalence of each species of the parasites. In the current study, Fasciola species were dominant with a higher prevalence of 115 (25%) followed by Ascaris species 23 (5%) and Schistosoma species 17 (3.69%). The prevalence in different age groups was observed to be 46.67%, 46.78%, and 60.65% in the calf, young, and adult age groups, respectively. The helminth parasite infection was recorded to be 56.38% and 53.05% in male and female cattle respectively. The prevalence of helminth parasite infection in two different breeds of cattle was recorded to be 53.38% and 64.52% in local and cross breeds respectively. The prevalence of helminth parasites infection of cattle was detected to 58.5% and 48.5% in wet and dry seasons respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The present study revealed that there was a higher prevalence of helminth parasite infections in cattle of Guangua district which deserving holistic strategic mass deworming of all species of domestic animals.

Keywords: Cattle; Coprology; Ethiopia; Guangua district; Helminth parasites; Prevalence

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