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Abstract
The poultry industry is crucial to Nigeria’s agricultural economy, significantly supporting food security and income. However, ectoparasitic infestations remain a major obstacle to maximizing productivity. This case report details a mixed infestation of two lice species Menacanthus stramineus (M. stramineus) and Menopon gallinae (M. gallinae) in a flock of 500 commercial pullets in Ibadan, Nigeria, focusing on clinical signs, parasitological results, and treatment approaches. Clinical examinations showed infestation in a greater population. Examination of 50 birds shows M. stramineus in 92% and M. gallinae in 68%, with 60% hosting both lice. Average lice counts were 11 to 18 per bird, respectively. Treatment involved applying a pyrethrin-based insecticide powder topically, with a second application after 10 days. Environmental cleaning and improved husbandry practices were also adopted to prevent reinfestation and eliminate lice from the farm. Mixed lice infestations can seriously harm poultry health and output. Timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and strict biosecurity are vital for sustainable poultry management
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References
- Bala, A.Y., Anka, S. A., Waziri, A. and Shehu, H. (2011). Preliminary Survey of Ectoparasites Infesting Chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Four Areas of Sokoto Metropolis. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science 19:173-180.
- Essay, S. (2020). Poultry industry in Nigeria. Available from; https://www.essaysauce.com/economics-essays/poultry.industry-in-nigeria/> (Accessed 13-08-2025)
- Lucchini, A. (2016). Louse-borne Relapsing Fever among East African Refugees. Emerging Infectious Disease. 22:298-301.
- Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. (2012). Strategy and Investment Plan to Strengthen the Poultry Industry in Rwanda. Final report. Available at: http://www.minagri.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/documents. Accessed on 10th August, 2025.
- Mishra, S., Pednekar, R. and Gatne, M. (2016). Species-wise and breed-wise prevalence of lice infestation in poultry of Mumbai region. Indian Journal of Livestock Science 7: 293-296
- Mlondo, S., Tembe, D., Malatji, M. P., & Mukaratirwa, S. (2025). Epidemiology of Chewing Lice (Phthiraptera: Mallophaga) Fauna of Poultry in Sub-Saharan Africa. Pathogens, 14(12), 1192. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14121192
- Mohammed, I. G. (2020). Poultry production as a tool for economic development and sustainability: new direction for economic transformation in Nigeria. International Journal of Pure and Applied Science 19 (9):356-364.
- Mungube, E. O., Bauni, S. M., Muhammed, L., Okwach, E. W., Nginyi, J. M. and Mutuoki, T. K. (2006). A survey of the constraints affecting the productivity of the local scavenging chickens in the Kionyweni cluster, Machakos District. KARI Katumani, Annual Report, 2005.
- Pavlovic, I., Blazin, V., Hudnia, V., Iliac, Z., and Miljkovic, B. (1989). Effects of the sharp louse M. stramineus on reducing egg production in poultry under intensive conditions. Veterinarski Glasnik. 43:181-186.
- Scholten, M.C.T., De Boer I.J.M., Gremmen B., and Lokhorst C. (2013). Livestock Farming with Care: Towards sustainable production of animal-source food. NJAS - Wag J. of Life Sci. 66: 3-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2013.05.009.
- Soulsby, E. J. (1982). Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals. 7th Edn., Bailliere Tindall, London. pp 476-479.
- Sychra, O., Literak, I., Podzemny, P., Harmat, P., Hrabak, R. (2011). Insect ectoparasites on wild birds in the Czech Republic during the pre-breeding period. Parasites. 18: 13-19.
References
Bala, A.Y., Anka, S. A., Waziri, A. and Shehu, H. (2011). Preliminary Survey of Ectoparasites Infesting Chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Four Areas of Sokoto Metropolis. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science 19:173-180.
Essay, S. (2020). Poultry industry in Nigeria. Available from; https://www.essaysauce.com/economics-essays/poultry.industry-in-nigeria/> (Accessed 13-08-2025)
Lucchini, A. (2016). Louse-borne Relapsing Fever among East African Refugees. Emerging Infectious Disease. 22:298-301.
Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. (2012). Strategy and Investment Plan to Strengthen the Poultry Industry in Rwanda. Final report. Available at: http://www.minagri.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/documents. Accessed on 10th August, 2025.
Mishra, S., Pednekar, R. and Gatne, M. (2016). Species-wise and breed-wise prevalence of lice infestation in poultry of Mumbai region. Indian Journal of Livestock Science 7: 293-296
Mlondo, S., Tembe, D., Malatji, M. P., & Mukaratirwa, S. (2025). Epidemiology of Chewing Lice (Phthiraptera: Mallophaga) Fauna of Poultry in Sub-Saharan Africa. Pathogens, 14(12), 1192. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14121192
Mohammed, I. G. (2020). Poultry production as a tool for economic development and sustainability: new direction for economic transformation in Nigeria. International Journal of Pure and Applied Science 19 (9):356-364.
Mungube, E. O., Bauni, S. M., Muhammed, L., Okwach, E. W., Nginyi, J. M. and Mutuoki, T. K. (2006). A survey of the constraints affecting the productivity of the local scavenging chickens in the Kionyweni cluster, Machakos District. KARI Katumani, Annual Report, 2005.
Pavlovic, I., Blazin, V., Hudnia, V., Iliac, Z., and Miljkovic, B. (1989). Effects of the sharp louse M. stramineus on reducing egg production in poultry under intensive conditions. Veterinarski Glasnik. 43:181-186.
Scholten, M.C.T., De Boer I.J.M., Gremmen B., and Lokhorst C. (2013). Livestock Farming with Care: Towards sustainable production of animal-source food. NJAS - Wag J. of Life Sci. 66: 3-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2013.05.009.
Soulsby, E. J. (1982). Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals. 7th Edn., Bailliere Tindall, London. pp 476-479.
Sychra, O., Literak, I., Podzemny, P., Harmat, P., Hrabak, R. (2011). Insect ectoparasites on wild birds in the Czech Republic during the pre-breeding period. Parasites. 18: 13-19.