Abstract
Somalia has the largest dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) population in the world. However, scientific research and camel diseases investigation in the country were lacking since 1980s. A total of 167 camels (131 semi-intensive dairy camels system and 36 free grazing systems) were sampled from three districts in Mogadishu citybetween December 2015 and March 2016 to investigate the prevalence rate of gastro-intestinal parasites in camels from Mogadishu city using different coprological techniques. The overall prevalence of camel gastro-intestinal parasites was 50.3%. The prevalence rate were significantly varies between the extensive and semi-intensive production systems (p = 0.000) and between the different districts (p = 0.000). Nematodes revealed higher prevalence rate (47.9%) than Cestodes (6.0%), Trematodes (4.2%) and Coccidia (0.65%). Eggs of eight genera of nematodes, two genera of trematodes and two genera of cestodes as well as Eimeria sp. Oocysts were identified in this study. Dictyocaulus sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. were the most prevalent followed by Parascaris equorum and Strongyloides sp. About 56.0% of the infected camels revealed mix-infection of up to five different parasite species. Moreover, 35.7% of these animals revealed heavy infection. The important role of the camel has inspired investigators and researchers to look for diseases that may threaten camel health and production. However, in Somalia in spite of having the largest counts of camels but in depth scientific data are not available. Therefore, the present paper was to be the first detailed data on camel gastro-intestinal parasites in Mogadishu area and may be in whole Somalia. We came to conclude that gastrointes-tinal parasites were highly prevalent in camels from Mogadishu particularly in nomadic herds of camels. Studies on the effect of gastro-intestinal parasites on camel production and productivity are recommended. Moreover, the intensive system of camel production should be encouraged.
Highlights
The world camel population is estimated at 18.26 million
Due to the scarcity of camel researches in the region, this study aims to investigate in details, the prevalence rate of camel gastro-intestinal parasites in two different grazing systems so as to establish a baseline data on gastro-intestinal parasites affecting camels in the country
It is worth mentioning that camel dairy farms are increasing in Mogadishu area and most of the farm managers are aware of the importance of using anthelmintics to reduce the effect of gastro-intestinal parasites on milk production
Summary
The world camel population is estimated at 18.26 million. Somalia has the largest (38.34%) dromedary population in the world which is estimated at 7 million [1] [2]. The highest density (30%) of that population (1.87 million) is found in Central Somalia [3]. The economic importance of the dromedary for Somalia is due to milk and meat Production as well as the social issues. The dromedary is used for transport of milk, water and nomadic household migration. The dromedary is used in recent years to supply milk to towns. It is kept in rural and around urban areas such as Mogadishu. Export of live dromedaries and hides provide for a great deal of the country’s hard currency earnings
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