Abstract

A cross sectional study design was conducted in Asella province, Central Ethiopia from November 2009 to May 2010. The study was carried out for the purpose of determining the prevalence of lungworm infection in ovine through coproscopic and postmortem examination in the Asella province. Moreover, the study assesses the association of some bionomic factors on the different risk factors and the correlation between adult worm burden and fecal larval output during the study time. Faecal samples (381) were collected from sheep of different age groups, husbandry system and health care, of both sexes; and additionally from 71 sheep slaughtered at Asella town restaurant and hotels, with both intact lung and fecal samples were randomly selected. The investigation also consists of questionnaire survey. Out of 381 fecal samples coproscopically examined, 276 (72.44%) were found to be infected with one or more species of lungworm. Sheep showing respiratory clinical signs, non-dewormed with anthelmintics and raised in extensive husbandry system when compared with those sheep that apparently appeared healthy, dewormed ones and of semi-intensive husbandry system shows statistically significant variation (P<0.05). The difference in the prevalence of infection, both among age groups and between sexes did not show statistically significant variation (P>0.05). The postmortem examination carried out on 71 sheep revealed that coproscopic examination had limited value in terms of estimating the prevalence of lungworm infection in live sheep and implies as there was no direct correlation between the adult worm burden and faecal larval output. The prevalence of lungworm infection observed through postmortem coproscopic examination and postmortem intact lung incision was 39.4 and 26.8%, respectively. 

Key words: Asella province, Central Ethiopia, lungworm, ovine, prevalence, risk factors.