Epidemiology of Leech Infestation in Livestock and Evaluation of Phytolacca dodecanda (Endod) for Aquatic Leech Control in Selected Districts of South, Central, and North Gondar Zones, Northwest Ethiopia

The livestock industry in Ethiopia suffers greatly from parasites and parasitic diseases including leech infestation. Leech infestation is a serious disease of animals and occasionally humans, but it is usually ignored. A cross‐sectional study design was carried out from January 2022 to June 2022 to estimate the prevalence of leech infestation in livestock, identify potential risk factors, and assess the effect of Phytolacca dodecanda on aquatic leeches. A total of 1536 cattle, sheep, goats, and equines were selected at random during dry and early wet seasons. In addition, 156 owners were randomly selected and interviewed about the effects of Endod on aquatic leech control. Overall, the prevalence of leech infestation was found to be 18% (277/1536) [95% CI: 16.10–20.00]. The study setting (districts) analysis revealed that Ebinat had the highest prevalence (24.7%), followed by Gondar Zuria (23.1%), and West Dembia (12.71%). Season of the study period, animal species, and body condition score were statistically significantly associated factors ( p < 0.05). Leech infestation in cattle was 2.9 times higher than equines (AOR = 2.904; 95% CI = 1.783–4.730, p < 0.05). In animals with poor body conditions, 3.2 times higher leeches were observed compared to those with good body condition (AOR = 3.203; 95% CI = 2.070–4.956, p < 0.001). The odds of leech infestation were about twice times higher in the dry season (with 21.5% prevalence) than at the start of the rainy season (with 13.4%) (AOR = 2.054; 95% CI = 1.532–2.753; p < 0.001). With a reduction percentage ranging from 92.59% to 100%, leech eradication was completed in most Endod‐treated streams 24 h after treatment and continued for 30 days. Seventy‐six percent of the respondents stated that they had not observed any leech infestations in their animals for 30 days after applying Endod. About 10% and 14% of the respondents said their animals were protected for 90 and 60 days post the treatment, respectively. The current findings showed that leech infestation in animals is substantially high and possess a serious problem for the livestock industry, which necessitates the further community‐based survey study and apply ecologically friendly control techniques.