A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and to identify
the genera of gastrointestinal strongyles infecting sheep goats in Chena and
Gimbo (Kaffa Zone) and Semen-Bench (Bench Maji zones) districts, Southwest
Ethiopia. A total of 800 faecal samples were collected from sheep (n=492) and
goats (n=308), and then examined by floatation technique. Positive faecal samples
were pooled and cultured and third stage larvae (L3
) were harvested and identified.
From 800 examined faecal sample 433 (54.1 %) were positive for gastrointestinal
parasites eggs. Among the risk factors considered in this study age, body condition
and history of previous deworming showed significant (P < 0.05) association
with gastrointestinal parasites prevalence. Strongyle type eggs dominated the
spectrum of infections, where by 73.1% sheep and 72.8% goats were positive
for strongyles infection. From the pooled faecal sample culture seven nematode
genera were identified in all the study districts (Chena, Gimbo and Semen-Bench)
and both in sheep and goats. These genera include Bunostomum, Chabertia,
Cooperia, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, Teladorsagia and Trichostrongylus.
Among these Trichostrongylus, Bunostomum, Haemonchus and Cooperia were the
dominant genera in all the three districts. This study indicated that gastrointestinal
parasites were among the serious health problem both in sheep and goats in Kaffa
and Bench Maji zones. Further study is required to identify the prevailing parasite
species and assess the seasonal dynamics of the gastrointestinal parasites in the
study areas and thereby to design appropriate control methods that enable to
overcome the existing problem.