Abstract
Introduction: This study was conducted from October 2019 to April 2020 to determine the prevalence of lungworm infection and to assess some of the determinant risk factors associated with sheep lungworm infections in Ambo, Central Ethiopia.
Methods: Fecal samples were collected from randomly selected 349 sheep, kept under extensive management systems, to examine first-stage larvae (L1) using the Baermann technique. Additionally, samples were collected from 44 sheep slaughtered in different restaurants and hotels to explore the presence of adult lungworm parasites.
Results: The overall prevalence recorded from fecal and postmortem examinations was 23.2% and 31.8%, respectively. A higher prevalence was observed in females (26.2%) than in males (17.7%). Age-wise, a higher prevalence (29.1%) was observed in animals greater than six months to 2 years old, while the lowest (13.5%) was observed in animals less than or equal to 6 months. The prevalence of lungworm infection during postmortem examination of slaughtered sheep was higher (31.8%) than the result obtained at coprology (23.2%).
Conclusion: This study showed that lungworm infection was a common problem among sheep in the study area. Due to its impact on production, emphasis should be given to controlling and preventing lungworm infection in the study area, such as through repeated deworming and grazing management.