Prevalence of One Humped Camel Mange and Its Associated Risk Factors in Selected Kebeles of Kebri-Beyah District of Fafan Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Camel mange is an extremely pruritic and contagious disease of camel caused by a small parasite Sarcoptes scabiei var cameli, It mostly affects the head, neck, flanks, inner side of the thighs and inguinal region of the animal. It is transmitted by direct or indirect contact, is one of the most important parasitic diseases affecting camels. Camel mange is economically important disease that hinders productivity and health of camel. Therefore, a cross sectional study was conducted between March to September 2021 to determine prevalence of camel mange mites and associated risk factors. A total of 384 animals were randomly selected and subjected to skin scrapings to recover mange from suspected lesions which was later on examined under microscope, out of the complete camels examined 116 (30.2%) camels were found positive for mange mite infestation. Only Sarcoptes scabiei var cameli was identified as the only mite species in all skin scraping samples collected from the suspected mange mite lesions. Peasant association, sex and age showed no significant variation on mange infestation (P>0.05), while only body condition and herd size were shown statistically significant difference in prevalence of mange mites (P<0.05). This study indicates that camel populations in Kebribeyah district had large amount of mange mites which could hamper health and production status of the camels. Therefore, more emphasis should be given to improve the management system, further studies and control measures should be conducted to shrink the effect of mange mite infestation on camel husbandry.