PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF MANGE AMONG CAMELS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF ERER ZONE, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A cross-sectional field survey was carried out in three districts of Erer zone, Somali Regional State from March to August 2024 to determine the prevalence, identify the risk factors and the cause of camel mange. A total of 664 animals were selected using multi-stage sampling method and subjected to clinical examination for mange. Skin scraping samples were collected from suspected cases, then preserved in 10% formalin and transported and subjected for parasitological examination. The data collected in this study were analysed using Stata version 16 statistical software. The analysis involved both descriptive statistics in which the frequency and percentage of infestation with mange mites along the confidence intervals was determined and analytic statistics involving the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to test associations among the study variables. From 664 camels examined, 188 (28.31%; 95% CI: 24.91%–31.91%) animals were found affected with mange associated with S. scabiei var. cameli. Body condition of camel, herd size, housing floor, the method of camel rearing and acaricidal use were found statistically significantly associated with the rate of occurrence of camel mange (p>0.05). The odds of developing mange in camels with poor and medium body condition was almost four fold (AOR=3.53; 95% CI=1.82-6.84; p<0.001) and doubled (AOR=1.99; 95% CI=1.01-3.94; p=0.047) as that of those camels with good body condition. The risk of developing mange was in camels selected from large herd size was 8 (AOR=8.23; 95% CI =3.31-20.43; p<0.001) times and those from medium sized herds 3 times (AOR=2.96; 955 CI=1.45-6.07; p=0.003) higher than those from small herd size. Furthermore, the odds of camel being affected by mange in those kept on muddy soil, reared mixed with other species of animals and never previously treated with acaricides, was almost 18 (AOR=18.49; 95% CI=7.69-44.48; p<0.001), 4 (AOR=3.95; 95% CI=1.55-10.05; p<0.004) and 2 (AOR=2.22; 95% CI=1.51-3.28; p<0.001 ) times as high as that of those camels reared on dry soil, reared separately and have been treated with acaricides, respectively. However, the strength of association between sex and age of camel with that of camel mange were determined to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Lesion associated with mange were observed mainly on the head (65.9%), neck (52.1%), shoulder (39.9%) and back (31.5%). Loss of hair (79.8%) and itching and scratching (67.0%) among others were the predominant clinical findings of mange observed in the study. In conclusion, S. scabiei var. cameli was found moderately infecting camels and action against it through designing and implementing control measures, further studies and public education are indisputable and crucial.