Epidemiology and therapeutic efficacy of asynthetic pyrethroid against Haematopinus tuberculatus (Phthiraptera: Haematopinidae) in Bubalus bubalis

Louse (Insecta: Pthiraptera) are common ectoparasites of buffalos (Bubalis bubalis) causing huge eco-nomic loss. An epidemiological survey was conducted in selected towns (administrative division) of Faisalabad district to determine the prevalence of louse infestation, the associated risk factors and the efficacy of cypermethrin (CYP) against louse infestation in buffalos. To determine the efficacy of CYP, 40 louse-infested buffalos were divided into two groups i.e. drug-treated group and control group (each group contains 20 animals). Cypermethrin drug was used as pour-on at day 0 and louse counts were conducted on days 0, 7,21,35,49, and 63 from predilection sites of each animal. Only one species of sucking louse Haematopinus tuberculatus was found in buffalo population of Faisalabad district. The overall prevalence of louse infestation was 37.76%. The variable like age and sex showed significant (P<0.05) variation of louse infestation while breed showed insignificant variation. Among extrinsic factors, seasons, floor pattern, and feeding system showed significant association (P<0.05) with louse infestation, while animal keeping as free or tethered and towns showed an insignificant association. On day 7, 100% effective results were obtained while 99.6% at day 21 and 100% from day 35 till day 63. No clinical adverse reaction was observed during this trial and cypermethrin was found efficacious. Based on these results it can be concluded that cypermethrin is an effective drug against louse infestation.