SURVEY OF LOUSE INFESTATION AMONGST SHEEP AND GOATS IN MAIDUGURI NIGERIA

¹BIU A.A., ²YAKAKA W., ³MUSTAPHA F.B., ¹ZANGO M.K., AND ¹LINUS D.I.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

²Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

³Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri

E-mail Address:  biuvet@yahoo.com

Abstract

Lice infestation amongst livestock, also known as lousiness is highly prevalent in Nigeria accounting for about 30% loss in sheep and goats production.  A survey on the incidence of louse infestation amongst sheep and goats was conducted in Maiduguri, Nigeria. A total of 240 sheep and goats were examined revealing an overall incidence of 34(14.2%) comprising of 127 sheep and 113 goats examined with incidence rates of 28 (22%) and 6 (5.3%) respectively (p<0.05). Two species of louse were identified namely Damalina ovis and Linognathus africanus on sheep with incidence rates of 22 (78.6%) and 6 (21.4%) respectively (p< 0.05). On goats were Damalina caprae and Linognathus stenopsis with incidence rates of 2 (33.3%) and 4 (66.7%) respectively (p<0.05). Based on sex, male and female sheep had incidence rates of 18 (64.3%) and 10 (35.7%) (p<0.05), while male and female goats had 5 (83.3%) and 1(16.7%) (p<0.05) respectively. Age wise, young and adult sheep had incidence rates of 22 (78.6%) and 6 (21.4%) (p<0.05), while young and adult goats had 4(66.7%) and 2(33.3%) (p>0.05) respectively. The University of Maiduguri Animal farm (UMAF) had a significantly (p<0.05) lower incidence rates for both sheep 6 (21.4%) and goats, (16.7%) compared with the Metropolitan livestock market with 22 (78.6%) and 5 (83.3%) for sheep and goats respectively. Conclusively, lousiness amongst sheep and goats is in Maiduguri, as such adequate veterinary attention is indicated for their enhanced production.