Przhevalskiana silenus, Goat Warble fly: A lesser known parasite of economic significance infesting goat

Abstract

Parasitic infections in goat are encountered worldwide causing economic losses in terms of health and productivity.
Although considerable importance is given to gastrointestinal parasitism in India, myiasis caused by warble fly
Przhevalskiana silenus has been neglected; because of being a regional disease. The disease is much prevalent
in the Jammu province of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. Second and third stage larvae of the fly are found in
subcutaneous tissues of animal’s back and flank resulting in tissue destruction. It causes huge economic losses
to the tune of crores to meat and hides industry of the J&K state. The current climatic change has increased
the susceptibility of drastic change in the epidemiology of parasitic diseases. For now, the goat warble fly is
restricted to the dry areas of Jammu region but detailed study of the prevalence and epidemiology of the disease
is warranted. Moreover a diagnostic kit that detects the infection at an early stage will prevent the losses to meat
and hide industry and help in eradication of disease.

Keywords: Goat, Myiasis, Parasite, Przhevalskiana silenus, Warble fly