PREVALENCE OF ANAPLASMOSIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN SOME SELECTED LIVESTOCK FARMS IN WUKARI METROPOLIS TARABA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne haemo-parasitic disease that causes huge economic loss in small ruminant flocks. The pathogen, Anaplasma Spp destroys red blood cells resulting in anaemia. The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Anaplasmosis in Goats and Sheep in Wukari metropolis, Taraba State, Nigeria and to determine the prevalence based on age and sex. A total of 100 small ruminants (n =50 sheep, n =50 goats) were randomly sampled. 5mls of blood were collected via jugular vein puncture stained with Giemsa, and examined under a microscope for the pathogen. An overall prevalence of 21% was obtained; goats had a prevalence of 32% while sheep had 10%. Based on age, the prevalence was observed higher in adults (>2yrs) than the young ones (≤ 2yrs), while prevalence based on sex was higher in females than in the males. Prevalence among the female animals was observed higher in pregnant ones in both goats and sheep and therefore, special veterinary and management care should be given to tick infested pregnant animals because of their prone to the disease due to their suppressed immunity during pregnancy. Also, adult animals that have gone through many ticks’ seasons with heavy tick infestation should also be given special veterinary and management attention. Veterinary care through prevention and control of ticks by chemical method either by fumigation of the animal farms with acaricides or regular treatment of tick infested animals with acaricides by direct application on the animal host is recommended. Also, management changes such as clearing bushes, keeping pastures mowed and avoiding tick habitats during the season of greatest tick activity may be helpful and therefore recommended. This will reduce the prevalence of the disease with the resultant effect of reduced economic loss.