Mange infestation in sheep, goats and nomads of Jammu and Kashmir state

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of mange among sheep, goats and associated nomadic rearers of Poonch and Rajouri Districts of Jammu & Kashmir State. The study was carried on 5050 sheep (4780 female and 270 male), 6590 goats (6247 female and 343 male) and 650 associated rearers (40 female and 610 male) from November 2016 to December 2018. Prevalence of mange in sheep was much higher (14.59%) than goats (0.50%). In sheep, the infestation was higher in females (14.91%) than males (8.88%) (p 0.05). In goats of age up to one year had higher prevalence (0.55%) than goats of more than one year age (0.46%) (p>0.05). The mites infesting sheep belonged to genera Psoroptes and Sarcoptes whereas goats were infested with Sarcoptes and Demodex. Out of 650 associated rearers interviewed, 2(0.48%) were infested with mange. The study indicated the necessity of intervention measures to control mange infestation in animals owing to their economic as well as zoonotic significance.