Diseases of Ruminants in Tigrai Regional State, Northern Ethiopia

Diseases are the major detriment in ruminant production and productivity in the study districts. A cross
sectional study was conducted to assess the major animal diseases of ruminants. About 461 species
of ruminants were examined and diagnosed tentatively. Similarly, samples were collected and
identified in the laboratory for confirmation of the cases. Of the clinically identified ruminant diseases,
sheep and goat pox (11.93%), abortion (8.24%), pasteurellosis (8.46%), lice infestation (9.98%), tick
infestation (5.86%), and flea infestation (5.21%) accounted for higher values. The proportion of
infectious, non-infectious, ecto-parasitic infestation, and reproductive diseases among examined
ruminants was 51.63, 9.97, 26.25, and 12.15% respectively. The higher ecto-parasitic infestation in
the study district was lice infestation (38.02%) followed by tick (22.31%), flea (19.83%), mange mite
(11.57%), and leech infestation (8.26%). The reproductive problems encountered were abortion
(67.86%), retained placenta (25%), and dystocia (7.14%). The most prevalent infectious diseases
encountered were sheep and goat pox (23.11%), pasteurellosis (16.39%), gastrointestinal tract
parasitism (13.03%), and anthrax (6.30%). The most encountered non-infectious diseases were
abscess (28.26%) and bloat (17.39%). In conclusion, infectious diseases and external parasites
cause serious economic loss in the study districts. So, regular surveillance of animal disease coupled
with vaccination of animals with available vaccines, regular spraying of acaricides and more
importantly, public awareness in prevention and control of major livestock diseases in the districts is
recommended.