Prevalence of Mange Mites of Goats in and Around Kombolcha, South Wollo, Amhara National Regional State, Northeastern Ethiopia

This study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of mange mite of goats, their species composition and associated risk factors in and around Kombolcha, Northeastern Ethiopia. Both questionnaire and cross-sectional study were employed. The result of the questionnaire survey indicated that goats were the main species of animals owned by the farmers and mange was a known and considered as an important disease by small ruminant holders. The cross sectional study was carried out on 350 goats (238 female and 112 male). Accordingly the overall infestation rate of mange mites was 11.7% (41 of 350). Prevalence of 5.1% and 6.6% was observed in and around Kombolcha, respectively; however, there was insignificant difference (P>0.05) in the two study areas. The highest level of infestation was observed in female adult goats (9.1 %) than in male adult goats (2.6%). However, there was no statistically significant difference (P> 0.05) between the different age and sex groups. On the other hand, the prevalence of mange mites in poor body conditioned (7.4%) animals was significantly higher than (P<0.05) those of the good body condition (3.1%) animals. With regard to species composition Sarcoptes sp. and Demodex sp. were identified with the prevalence of 10.6% and 1.1%, respectively. Demodex sp. was not observed on good body conditioned and young goats, whereas, Sarcoptes sp. were found on both poor and good body condition as well as in different age groups. In conclusion, mange mite of goats had been observed to decrease in its extent of infestation problem because of the endeavors on disease control launched in the study area. Therefore, it was the suggestion of this study to further strengthen the efforts to put the disease under control.