World Applied Sciences Journal 19 (1): 106-111, 2012 ISSN 1818-4952; © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2012.19.01.6374 Corresponding Author: Tesfaheywet Zeryehun, Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 301, Haramaya UniversityHaramaya, Ethiopia. Tel: +0920556154. 106 Prevalence of Mange Mites of Goats in and Around Kombolcha, South Wollo, Amhara National Regional State, Northeastern Ethiopia Tesfaheywet Zeryehun and Lemma Mengesha 1 2 Department of Parasitology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Haramaya University, Haramaya, P.O. Box 301, Ethiopia College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia 2 Abstract: 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. Key words: Sarcoptes Demodex Skin Goats INTRODUCTION The current utilization of hides and skins is estimated Small ruminants play significant contribution to for sheep skin with expected off- take rate of 33%.35% Ethiopian economy and contribute about 30% of the and 7% for sheep, goats and cattle, respectively [5]. total population of Ethiopian small ruminants [1]. Even though small ruminants are important components Both sheep and goats contribute 35% and 14 % of meat of the farming system in Ethiopia, their contribution is far and milk consumption. Sheep and goats for most of below the expected potential. Although large number of the small holders are the major or the only source of sheep and goat are slaughtered per-annum, the income in some parts of Ethiopia. In the central high lands production of high quality skins remains very low [6-7]. where mixed crop livestock production system is This is partly because small ruminants’ production is practiced, small ruminants account 40% of cash income confronted by different factors such as disease, poor [2]. The national sheep and goat population is estimated feeding and poor management practices [8]. Skin problems at 25.5 and 23.7 million, respectively [3]. Annually 16.6 caused by lice, keds, ticks and mange mites result in million pieces of skins are produced in the country. Their serious economic loss to smallholder farmers, to tanning skins share 12-16 % of the total export earnings of the industry and to the country at large. These external country [4]. parasites of small ruminants can result blood loss, to 77.3% for cattle hide, 58.4% for goats skin and 29.7%