Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep in Kajiado North Sub-County, Kenya

The gastrointestinal parasite (G.I.P.) species of Public Health, Agricultural and Veterinary concern, which affect the health of sheep and goat, belong to several Genera in the Phylum Protozoa (Unicellular Organisms), Phylum Nematohelminthes (Round Worms), and Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flatworms). The species of clinical significance in the Phylum Protozoa belong to the Genera: Eimeria, Isospora, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, and Giardia. Roundworm species belong to the Class Nematoda, with several Genera. These are Trichostrongylus, Strongylus, Cyanthostomin, Strongyloides, Haemonchus, Cooperia, Nematodirus, Trichuris, Toxocara, Ostertagia, Oesophagostomum, Cherpertia, Bunostomum (Hookworms), and Gongylonema. Flatworm species belong to two classes: Trematoda (Flukes) and Cestoda (Tapeworms). Trematodes of clinical concern belong to the Genera: Fasciola, Dicroelium, and Paramphistomum. The cestode species of clinical concern belong to the Genera: Moniezia, Avitellina and Echinococcus. The Unicellular parasites belong to Phylum: Protozoa, Sub-phylum: Sporozoa, Class Telosporidea and Sub-class Coccidea. The Coccidian parasite species of clinical concern belong to several Genera, namely: Eimeria, Isospora, Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, and Sarcocystis. Gastrointestinal parasites (G.I.P.) of sheep are a threat to sheep industry worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with GIP in sheep under an extensive grazing system from 16 farms in Kajiado North Sub-County.