Acta Parasitologica Globalis 4 (3): 121-125, 2013 ISSN 2079-2018 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.apg.2013.4.3.76193 Corresponding Author: Berihun Afera, Mekelle University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Tigray, Ethiopia, P.O.Box. 2084, 121 Prevalence of Ovine Lungworms in and Around Wukro, Tigray Region, Ethiopia Marshet Adugna, Berihun Afera and Netsanet Berhe 1 2 2 National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, 1 Mekelle University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2 Abstract: Cross sectional study to determine prevalence of ovine lung worm from September 2007 to June 2008 was conducted at Wukro, Eastern part of Tigray, Northern part of Ethiopia. A total of 323 sheep fecal sample were collected and examined using the Baermann technique for the presence of larvae and eggs of the parasite. Total prevalence of the disease was 25.69% with 13.63% Dictyocaulus filaria, 5.57% Mullerius capillaries and Protostrongylusrufescence and 6.50% mixed infection. The prevalence in female and male were 25.85% and 25.64% respectively where there is statistically significant (P>0.05). The prevalence in poor, medium and good body conditions were 48.14%, 25% and 21.6% respectively and there is statistical significance difference among the different body conditions (P<0.05). Similarly, the prevalence was 31.58% on sheep of age less than 12 months and 20.46% on sheep greater than 12 months of age in which their difference is statistically significant (P<0.05). The monthly occurrence of infection was higher in January and December with prevalence of 44.45% and 27.28% respectively and their difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In addition, the disease was also more prevalent in clinically sick animals (56.84%) than those that don't show any clinical signs (12.72%). The prevalence was statistically significant (P<0.05). From this study age, poor body condition and season were the major risk factors for the infection. Depending on the findings strategic deforming of the flock, immunization of sheep and education of farmers to promote good husbandry practices were recommended. Key words: Lungworm Prevalence Ovine Wukro INTRODUCTION livestock industry are estimated at more than 900 million Ethiopia is found in the tropical latitude of Africa and nutritional deficiency diseases which affects production has an extremely diverse topography, a wide range of of the livestock were observed in the country such as pox climatic features and multitude of agro-ecological zones disease, contagious ecthyma, pasturollosis and different which makes the country suitable for different agricultural internal and external parasite which include helminthes, production system. This has contributed to the existence nematodes and tick and lice infestation as well as mange of a large diversity of farm animal genetic resources [1]. mites are observed in the animals [2]. Livestock sector plans a vital role in the national economy Among the disease constraint that causes loss of of many developing countries including Ethiopia. The production is the lung worm infection in sheep. In the current livestock population of the country is estimated to past few years many authors have devoted their attention be approximately 38 million, 23million, 18 million, 8 million, to the prevalence of lung worm in the high lands of 1million and 58 million cattle, sheep, goats, equines, temperate areas [3]. The lung worm infection is known to camels and chicken respectively [1]. But this resource has be prevalent in many parts of Ethiopia especially the high not been exploited as required mainly because of health land areas and they either cause verminous pneumonia or and nutritional problems, limited genetic potential and they predispose animals to other lung disease such as other husbandry standards. Losses from inferior weight pneumonia [4]. A number of researchers and author gains, inedible of organs and carcasses and lower milk reported the prevalence of lung worm in Ethiopia, but the yield are not negligible. These production losses to the loss it entails is still lacking. Birr annually. Different viral, bacterial, parasitic and