GENITAL MYIASIS (WOHLFAHRTIOSIS) IN CAMEL HERDS OF MONGOLIA

Genital infestations caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) h as been reported as being a common problem encountered in female camel s in the Gobi desert. Thus, a field investigation to establish the pre valence of wohlfarthiosis in camel herds in the eastern Gobi district was carried out between May and July 1994. The objectives of the study were to establish the relevance of genital myiasis, and to describe t he disease patterns, clinical course and pathomorphological changes as sociated with it. The field study was designed to suit the specific ec ological, infrastructural and logistic conditions. Two cross-sectional samples were taken from 45 selected herds in six different areas of t he Chatanbulag Sumon to obtain data on herd structure, age distributio n, and the breeding history of infested female animals. Post partum ev ents and previous occurrence of genital myiasis were recorded by use o f a standardised questionnaire. Clinically infested animals were first detected visually. All camels to be investigated further were subsequ ently immobilised using ropes and the genitals were examined for tissu e lesions and the presence of larvae. Examination of 1676 Bactrian cam els from 45 selected herds in six different areas of the Chatanbulag S umon in the Eastern Gobi district, Mongolia, led to an estimate of Woh lfahrtia magnifica infestation rates between 8-10%. Most myiasis cases were found in older females (> 4 yr), younger animals were infested a t a lower rate. Highest prevalence rates were discovered during June a nd July, highest levels of infestation occurred in the Aman Us Chudak region with infestation rates up to 15%. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V .