Biting Flies and Associated Pathogens in Camels in Amibara District of Afar Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Biting flies and associated pathogens are the major health constraints on camel production and productivity and are implicated in causing significant economic losses in the pastoralist community in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of biting flies and their associated pathogens in relation to different risk factors in camels in the Amibara district, from October 2019 to April 2020. A total of 480 camels were examined for biting flies and associated pathogens. The study revealed that overall, 87% (418/480) and 18% (87/480) of camels were infested by one or more biting flies and infected with Trypanosoma evansi during the study period, respectively. The collected biting flies were identified into a total of 3 genera: Hippobosca, Stomoxys, and Tabanus under the stereomicroscope. In the present study, Hippobosca (40.4%) was the most prevalent biting fly, followed by Stomoxys (31%) and Tabanus (28.6%), which affected camels in the study area. Among camels infected with Trypanosoma evansi, 7.3% and 16% were positive for parasitological and serological tests, respectively. Age, body condition score, and season appeared to have a significant effect ($p\le 0.005$) on the prevalence of biting flies and T. evansi on dromedaries. According to the findings of this study, biting flies and Trypanosoma evansi were the most common limitations on camel health, production, and productivity in the study area. As a result of the possible threat of biting flies’ infestation and Trypanosoma evansi on camels, all-around attention is required in terms of strategic acaricide application, proper antiprotozoal drug use, and raising knowledge about acaricide use to prevent and control biting flies’ infestation.