Abstract:
Livestock sector has been contributing considerable portion to the economy of Sri
Lanka, and still promising to play great role in the economic development of the
country. Products and by-products come from livestock population is an essential
source of income for the people who are living in Killinochchi district. There are several
constrains found in cattle farming. Among them external parasitic infestation is one
of the problem which affects the production adversely. Therefore, a cross-sectional
study was conducted from March to July, 2022 with the objectives of determining the
prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation in cattle and risk factors associated with
ectoparasitism in Kilinochchi district. Total of 384 cattle (119 males and 265 female)
were used to study the prevalence on live animals. The study revealed that cattle in
the study area were infested with single infestation (6.7%) and multiple infestation
(45.83%) with an overall prevalence of 52.60% (202/384). Overall eight genera of
ectoparasites which belong to tick (47.89%), lice (4.45%) and mite (0.26%) were
identified in flank, belly, shoulder, dorsal surface of the ear and along the dorsal side
of the cattle. Among the genera of the ticks, Amblyomma, Boophilus, Hyalomma, and
Rhipicephalus and three types of lice genera Damalina, Linognathus and
Haematopinus were found. Only one genera of mite was identified namely, Demodex
bovis. According to present study, three to seven years cattle were highly susceptible
(49.50%) to ectoparasitic infestation compare to other age groups. In addition, highest
prevalence (70.65%) was shown by female cattle. The cattle with the herd size of less
than 14 were highly infected with external parasites (79.60%). The present study
revealed that widespread occurrence of ectoparasites in cattle in the study area, thus,
improved management practice and well-coordinated control interventions are
required.
