Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep, Goats and Zoonotic Helminths in Maekel Region, Eritrea

Aim: To determine the prevalence of GIT parasites in sheep and goats and zoonotic helminths from slaughter house in the Maekel region, Eritrea.

Study Design: The study involved firstly a cross-sectional study which screened 384 sheep and goats for GIT parasites from four study villages of Maekel region and a questionnaire survey on risk factors associated with GIT parasite infections. Secondly, retrospective data (2022,2023) on zoonotic helminths was also collected from slaughter house in Maekel region.

Place and Duration of Study: Maekel region of Eritrea between January 5,2024 to December 11,2024.

Methodology: A total of 384 feacal samples were collected from sheep and goats to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Fresh fecal samples were collected and transported to National Animal and Plant health laboratory (NAPHL) in Eritrea, for analysis using floatation and sedimentation techniques for microscopic examination. Questionnaire survey was also carried out on 40 farmers to determine the risk factors associated with helminth infections in the region.

Results: Parasites identified included of Haemonchus sp. (27.2%), Eimeria sp (19.79%), Cooperia sp. (15.9%), Strongyloides sp. (11.9%), Monezia species (7.8%), Ascaris sp (5.5%), Dictyocaylus filarial(5.2%), Paramphistomum cervi (5.2%), Oesophagostomum columbianum (3.7%), Chabertia ovina (3.7%), Trichuris globulosa (3.4%), among others. The risk factors associated with GIT parasites included poor housing, mixed housing, sharing of water sources with other livestock, irregular deworming and illiteracy. Zoonotic parasites reported from slaughter house included hydatid cysts, Strongyloides, Trichuris, Ascaris, Paraphastumun, Dictyocaulus filarial, Haemonchus sp and Faciola sp.

Conclusion: Maekel region had high prevalence of parasitic helminths in sheep and goats which negatively impact on the small ruminants’ production. Most importantly are the zoonotic NTDs including Echinococcosis, Strongyloides, Trichuris, Ascaris, Paraphastumun, Dictyocaulus filarial, Haemonchus sp and Faciola sp which indicates that the animals could be reservoir hosts and play role of reinfection to humans.