PREVALENCE OF BOVINE SKIN DISEASES AT DINAJPUR DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted commencing from December, 2012 to November, 2013 in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh to determine the clinical prevalence of various skin diseases in cattle. A total of 5000 cattle were recorded among which 499 were clinically diagnosed as infected with various skin diseases. The diagnosis of skin diseases were done based on epidemiological data, physical and clinical examination of affected animals. SPSS version 11.5 was used for chi-square test and P-values < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The overall prevalence of various skin diseases in cattle population were 9.98%. Different types of skin diseases were encountered in Dinajpur among which the prevalence of dermatophilosis 127 (2.54 %), papillomatosis 56 (1.12%), dermatomycosis 88 (1.76%), stephanofilariasis 35(0.7%), tick infestation 53 (1.06 %), mite infestation 57 (1.14%), lice infestation 54 (1.08%) and myiasis 29(0.58%) infestation. There was no statistically significant difference observed among two categories of age ( p > 0.05) even though the highest prevalence was observed in young 245 (11.13%) while the lowest 254 (9.07%) in adult cattle. Correspondingly, there was a statistically insignificant variation detected between sexes (p >0.05) even it was higher in female 349 (10.90%) than male 150 (8.33%). There was no statistically significant difference observed between the two categories of breeds ( p < 0.05) although the higher prevalence was observed in indigenous breed 379 (10.52%) than the cross breed 120 (8.57%). Although clinical prevalence of skin diseases in cattle was recorded highest in summer seasons 250 (10%) followed by rainy 120 (8.57%) and winter 99 (9%) seasons. The present study revealed a high prevalence of skin diseases that potentially hamper the production performance and decrease the quality of skin. Degradation of skin quality caused by different types of skin diseases leads higher loss in the national economy. This indicates that despite of many efforts we were tried to study infectious diseases prevalence in the study area, skin diseases has been given lesser attention to be treated as a separate health problem. Therefore, preventive measures should be undertaken rather than treating various skin diseases.