Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology

Research Paper|Published August 2024|Vol.10(2):7-11

https://doi.org/10.36630/jasft_24011

 

 

Multiple anthelmintic resistance among Dorper sheep farms and its implications for sustainable helminth control in Laikipia County, Kenya

 

Nginyi J.M^1*, Mbuku S.M.¹, Wahome C², Ndungu D¹, Lumumba P.L.¹, Bor J.¹, Keshura  R.¹ and Biwott G. C.¹

 

¹Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization, Veterinary Research Institute, Muguga, P.O. Box 32-00902, Kikuyu, Kenya.
²State Department for Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives. P.O. Box 34188, Nairobi.  

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out in Laikipia County, Kenya, in April 2021 to evaluate the possible resistance of commonly used anthelmintics among Dorper sheep. Sheep that had not been dewormed in the previous 28 days and with a faecal egg count of ≥150 eggs per gram of faeces were selected. Out of these, 64 sheep of varying ages, male and female were selected and randomly allocated to four treatment groups of 16 based on the faecal egg counts at Day 0. Faecal egg count reduction test was used to determine the efficacy of the three clasess, i.e. benzimidazoles, levamisoles and avermectins. Prior to the trial, a total of 181 farmers were interviewed to investigate existing helminth control strategies and other challenges faced by Dorper sheep farmers. Among the disease and pest challenges reported, pneumonia, worm infestation and diarrhoea were the three most important. Most of the farmers (90%) managed worm infestations through routine use of anthelmintics, with the majority (51%) using anthelmintics four times a year. The rest varied from once to six times a year. Ninety-eight percent of farmers indicated that  anthelmintics  were effective and on average, they had used them for the previous three years. FECRT, indicated Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomumspp had resistance to all the classes of anthelmintics with efficacies below the recommended 95%. It is recommended that an integrated approach to address multiple anthelmintic resistance be put in place to ensure sustainable Dorper sheep production in Kenya.                                                                           

Keywords: Faecal egg counts, Dorper sheep, Anthelmintic resistance, Faecal egg count reduction test.

 

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