Vol. 3, Issue 6, Part A (2018)

Author(s): Ataro Abera

Abstract: Haemonchus contortus is a blood sucking nematode parasite of sheep all over the tropics and subtropics which causes retarded growth, lower productivity and even mortality in young animals. A cross sectional study was conducted from April, 2018 to May, 2018 in sheep slaughtered at Jimma municipal abattoir in Jimma town conducted using purposive. Purposively, sheep were selected during ante-mortem examination and the necessary information was recorded in data collection format. In the present study, a total of 384 sheep (217 males and 167 females) were slaughtered at the Jimma municipal abattoir and inspected for the presence or absence of the parasite. Accordingly, the findings of this study revealed that an overall prevalence of 33.1% was recorded. High prevalence of disease occur in poor body condition score 117/245(47.8) and low prevalence occur in good body condition score 10/139 (7.2%) and there was statistically significant differences (P= 0.000) between body condition scores. Among the male and female slaughtered sheep, 70 (32.3%) and 57 (34.2%) were found to be positive for H. contortus, respectively; and shows no statistical significant difference (P>0.05) between sex. Based on age group, prevalence of haemonchosis was 57 (30.5%) and 70 (35.5%), in young and adult, respectively. The result from the present study indicated that there was no statistical significance (P> 0.05) among age groups. There is no statistical significance difference (P> 0.05) between urban and rural origin of sheep. In the present study, moderate prevalence of H. contortus was observed in sheep during the study period. Therefore, strategic prevention and control measures should be implemented to decrease the burden of the parasitic infection so as to enhance productivity of sheep in the study area.