Epidemiological Study of Camel Ectoparasites in Different Districts of Afar Region, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April, 2017 to October 2018 to investigate the occurrence of major camel ectoparasites and associated risk factors in selected districts of Afar Regional State, Ethiopia. Out of the total camels (N=813) examined for ectoparasite infestation, about 629 of camels were infested with one or more species of parasites and the overall prevalence was 77.4%. About 17.44%, 10.57%, 1.97%, and 0.24% were accounted for single and mixed infestation with two, three and four parasites respectively. The study indicated that there were statistically significant variation (P 0.05) in infestation rate in relation to areas. In this study four of genera ticks and one genera of mite were identified. The identified genera were Hyalomma (28.30%), Amblyomma (24.48%), Rhipicephalus (17.17%) and Boophilus (0.32%). The infestation of a single mite showed that; Sarcoptes scabiei var cameli (8.90%). Infestations in seven districts in the region ranged (70.06%) of Yallo 82.6% in Elidar district to but higher prevalence was found (80.5%) at Megale and (82.6%) Elidar district. In conclusion, the prevalence of ectoparasites in the present study was high in camel population in the study areas of the Afar region; therefore it is important to reduce parasitic infestation and its load through applying ectoparasitic drugs and externally applied chemicals.