A review of external parasites of sheep in Afghanistan

Sheeps are important contributors for food production in Afghanistan, which is providing meat, milk and wools for the country. Skins are also important items to generate foreign currency for developing countries especially karakul skin are the huge resource potential of sheep populations for the country, which are constrained and threatened by compound effect of diseases, poor management and malnutrition. Parasitic skin diseases caused by external parasites such as mange mites, lice, keds and ticks are among these threats resulting in serious economic loss to the tanning industry and the country as whole. The economic impacts of external parasites in Afghanistan are not well documented. Aim of the study is to determine the external parasites of sheeps here in Afghanistan and studied its economic impacts on the society yearly incomes. The study was done as a review and approximately 45 articles and books were studied for the accomplishment of this study. Insects and pests limit production in the sheep industry are significantly high in Afghanistan. External parasites are feeding from body tissue such as blood, skin, wools and hairs. Wounds and skin irritation are produced by these parasites, and resulting discomfort and irritation to the animal were studied in this review research. Parasites could be transmitting diseases from sick to healthy animals. They could be reducing weight gains and milk production. In general, infested sheeps cannot be efficiently managed to realize optimum production levels.