Prevalence of sarcoptic mange in pigs in Mifi Department (West Cameroon)

Abstract

Pig scabies, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis, is one of the main pig dermatoses and is frequently present in pig farms. It causes important economic losses in several countries and its eradication involves improving hygienic conditions. In the absence of recent data on the prevalence of this infestation in Cameroon, the search for parasites by skin scraping was carried out in 52 farms in the Western region (Mifi Department). In April-August 2015, then in April-August 2016, 359 skin scrapings on 103 sows, 39 boars and 217 weaned piglets allowed to identify S. scabiei var. suis in 23.1% of the farms (12/52; i.e. 40 scabies-free pig farms). The mean prevalence was 19.5% (70/359) with no difference in regard to sex or age. The most infested pigsties were those where hygiene was the poorest. Health education programs need to be implemented to sensitize farmers to the importance of hygiene compliance in order to control swine scabies.