LAUSR

ABSTRACT To chalk-out suitable management strategy for fluke infestation in sheep flocks, their prevalence was studied in two different agro-climatic regions of Rajasthan. From April, 2004 to March, 2018, a total of 89112 faecal samples were examined for flukes by sedimentation technique. An overall prevalence was maximum (6.08%) for Paramphistomum spp. followed by 0.19% for Schistosoma indicum and minimum (0.03%) for Fasciola gigantica. Prevalence of Paramphistomum spp. and S. indicum was significantly higher in semi-arid region (8.66 and 0.22%) compared to arid region (1.51 and 0.12%). The overall annual prevalence rates varied significantly from 1.69 to 9.70% for Paramphistomum spp, from 0.02 to 1.73% for S. indicum and from nil to 0.12% for F. gigantica. The prevalence of all the three flukes was found to be influenced significantly by month and season. For Paramphistomum spp, the overall monthly prevalence varied from 0.15% (Nov) to 16.60% (Jul). The seasonal prevalence was maximum during monsoon and minimum during winter. The occurrence of F. gigantica was sporadic in arid region as compared to regularity in semi-arid region. The monthly profile of S. indicum exhibited significantly higher prevalence (>0.20%) from May to August in arid region and from July to October in semi-arid region. A significant effect of agro-climatic region on prevalence of S. indicum was noticed only during monsoon season with higher incidence in semi-arid region (0.59%) as compared to arid region (0.25%). The study suggested that the fluke infections are present in endemic pattern in sheep flocks of Rajasthan (particularly in semi-arid region) and deserves serious attention. Therefore, it is important to obtain detail information on host parasite relationship and snail species which will aid for developing suitable control strategies.