Outbreak Investigation and Clinical Management of Poultry Coccidiosis in Jigjiga and Tuli-Guled Districts, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia: A Case Report

Abstract

Poultry coccidiosis is a prevalent and economically significant caused by protozoan parasites of the Genus Eimeria. Coccidiosis is highly prevalent parasitic infection leading economic burdens on poultry producers in Ethiopia. In May, 2025, an outbreak of coccidiosis in chickens was reported in Jigjiga and Tuliguled districts of Fafan zone, Somali region, Ethiopia. Prompting emergency outbreak investigations including farm visits, clinical observations and laboratory diagnosis were conducted on 400 infected chickens from different poultry farmers at Jigjiga and Tuliguled districts. Clinical manifestations of affected chickens exhibited typical signs of coccidiosis, such as lethargy, poor appetite, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), ruffled feathers, and significant weight loss. As the infection advanced, many of these chickens developed severe intestinal lesions including intestinal hemorrhages, thickened intestinal walls, intestinal blood clots and exudates, severe caecal enlargement with dark red to black discoloration and sloughing of intestinal mucosa which were visible during post-mortem examination. Approximately 10-15% of the infected chicken flock died due to the severity of the disease. The Fecal samples were collected directly from affected chickens revealed signs of coccidiosis (e.g., bloody droppings, lethargy, ruffled feathers). Samples were preserved in 10% formalin and transported to the Jigjiga University Veterinary Laboratory for further investigations and analysis