Sheep Mange Mites and Lice: Prevalence and Risk Factors in Asella and its Surroundings, South Eastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for sheep mange mites and lice infestation in Asella and its surroundings of south eastern Ethiopia, from November, 2009 to April, 2010. The study revealed that 212 (55.21%) of the 384 sheep examined were infested with mange mites or lice in the study area. A higher prevalence of pediculosis (49.5%) was observed compared to mange mite infestation which was rarely observed with prevalence rate of 5.72%. Mange mites genera identified in the present study were Sarcoptes (2.6%), Psoroptes (2.3%), Chorioptes (0.8%) while no Demodex was identified in the study settings of sheep. Pertaining to lice infestation, Bovicola ovis (36.7%) and Linognathus ovillus (16.9%) were the only identified species of lice. A negative association (p>0.05) of mange mites and lice infestation was observed among the sex groups while only lice infestation was positively associated (p<0.05) with the age groups of sheep in the study environs. Concerning to body condition scores, a chi-square analysis revealed that lice infestation was highly positively associated (p=0.000) with the covariates (different body condition score group) in which the highest prevalence of lice infestation was observed in sheep with poor body condition score (67.36%). Nevertheless, mange mite infestation was negatively associated (p>0.05) with different body condition scores as the statistical analysis revealed. The result of this study revealed that as an ever increasing threat of mange mite and lice infestation on overall sheep productivity and tanning industry in Ethiopia warrants urgent control intervention. Hence, to reduce mange mite and lice infestation prevalence and impact on the productivity and health status, planning of integrated control measures with sustainable veterinary services aiming at creating awareness about the importance and control of the ectoparasites for small ruminant's owners is recommended.