Epidemiology of Ectoparasites Infestation in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria

A total of 54(47.4%) sheep and 60(52.6%) were observed infested with ectoparasites. The overall prevalence rate was 114 (100%).The major identified ectoparasites in sheep and goats were, ticks (47.3%, 52.7%), lice(27.1%, 72.9%), mite(42.0%, 58.0%), and fleas(28.6%, 71.4%) respectively. Six species of hard ticks (ixodidae) were found the animals examined consisting of Rhipicephalus evertsi (44.3%,55.7%), Amblyomma variegatum (52.0%, 48.0%), Boophilus decloratus (45.5%, 55.5%), R. appendiculatus (39.1%, 60.9%), Heamaphysalis leachi leachi (66.7%, 33.3%), R. sanguineus (56.3% 43.8%), one species of fleas (Ctenocephalis felis 28.65, 71.4%), two species of lices , Linognathus species (30.6%, 46.4%), and Bovicola species (20.0%, 80.0%) respectively. Psoroptes comunis (41.9%, 58.1%) and Sarcoptes scabiei (42.1%, 58.1%) were the identified mites in the study. The possible transmission of arthropod borne diseases to human may attributed by the co-habitation of the infested animals and Man. Routine and strategic control measures should be factored into production to increase profit and good health.

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