PREVALENCE OF
HAEMONCHUS
CONTORTUS IN NATURALLY INFECTED
SMALL RUMINANTS GRAZING IN THE POTOHAR AREA OF
PAKISTAN
F. R. CHAUDARY, M. F. U. KHAN1
AND M. QAYYUM
Department of Zoology, University of Arid Agriculture,
Murree Road,
Rawalpindi;
1Small Ruminants Research Programme, Animal
Sciences Institute, National Agriculture Research Centre,
Park Road, Islamabad,
Pakistan
Abstract
The present study
was carried out to investigate the prevalence and seasonal trend of the
Haemonchus contortus in sheep and
goats in the Potohar areas of northern Punjab,
Pakistan from December 2004
to January 2006. Faecal samples collected from 968 sheep and 961 goats of
different breeds were examined by the modified McMaster technique using
saturated solution of sodium chloride. Results revealed that the infection was
significantly (P<0.05) higher in sheep compared to goats. The peak infection
level was recorded during rainy season (July-October). On the other hand, low
infection level was noted from December upto May. In sheep, highest log faecal
egg counts (LFECs) were recorded in
Islamabad, followed by Attock,
Jhelum and Chakwal. However, in goats the LFECs trend was
highest in Islamabad, followed by
Jhelum, Attock and Chakwal districts. A significant
(P<0.05) variability in LFECs was noted between sheep and goat breeds from
site-site, while no significant difference was observed between breeds at the
same site. Hairy (Jattal) goats and Salt-Range (Latti) sheep breeds exhibited
significantly reduced LFECs level along with higher packed cell volume (PCV) and
haemoglobin (Hb) levels compared to other breeds. Moreover, FAMACHA©
chart scoring in relation with worm infection (FECs) was more valid in sheep
than goats. High prevalence of H. contortus in Potohar areas was
due to favourable agro-climatic conditions that favour the development and
survival of the free-living stages of H. contortus. The findings
are discussed with regard to their relevance for strategic control of
haemonchosis in small ruminants.
Key words:
Haemonchus
contortus, prevalence, agro-climatic conditions, sheep, goats,
Potohar area.
