Camel gastrointestinal helminths in selected districts of Fafan zone, eastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the incidence and prevalence of helminths in camels in the Jigjiga and Gursum districts of Fafan zone, Somali regional state of Ethiopia. Fecal samples were collected from individual animals and analyzed using a McMaster fecal flotation method. Fecal samples were mixed with water and centrifuged to remove excess debris prior to mixing with flotation solution and performing the McMaster. For each sample, the number and types of parasite eggs present were recorded. 77.3% of examined camels were found harboring gastrointestinal parasites. Trichostrongylid spp. (68.06%) were the predominant parasite followed by Strongyloides spp. (25.6%), Trichuris spp. (15.5%) and Monezia spp. (8.4%). Risk factors for gastrointestinal parasite prevalence included age, body condition score and fecal quality (P < 0.05). Camels from the Gursum district had a significantly higher mean egg count than camels from the Jigjiga district (868.9 ± 1064.2 vs 351 ± 422.4; F = 20.8, P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference in mean egg count between the sexes (F = 5.9, P = 0.02), with females (724.6 ± 960.6) having higher egg counts than males (373.4 ± 470.6). This study indicates that gastrointestinal helminths are highly prevalent and may affect the health and productivity of the camels in pastoral areas of Fafan zone.