Abstract:
Five 24-months-old backyard chickens in a flock of 30 birds from Pottuvil were
brought to the Veterinary Investigation Centre in Ampara with a history of restlessness
and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed the gregarious aggregation of fleas around
the eyes, comb and wattle, which resulted in partially closed eyes as well as ulcerations
around the eyes. The fleas were collected from the wattle and around the eyes. The
samples were sent to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences,
University of Peradeniya for the detailed examination. The fleas were identified as
Echidnophaga gallinacea depends on the morphological characters. The birds were
treated with manual removal of fleas combined with topical Malathion dusting. To
avoid infestation, the entire flock of backyard chickens were sprayed with Amitraz
12.5% solution (12.5%, 2 ml in 1 liters of water). The farmer was advised to burn the
infested organic material in the farm premises and also recommended to use wire cages
at least 3 feet above the ground to minimize chances of flea infestation. Subsequent
recheck examinations did not reveal any fleas on the affected birds or on any of the
other birds housed in the same farm.
