Due to increasing number of human population and climatic change, the per capita production of food in sub-Sahara Africa is decreasing and there is a need of developing previously marginalized resources in the semi-arid and arid range lands through appropriate livestock production systems (1). Camel is an important livestock species in the pastoral economy (2) and is commonly distributed in subtropical dry areas in Africa and Asia (3) .The camel population is estimated to be 80% in the arid lowland of Eastern Africa of African camel and above 66% of that of its world camel population (1). The importance of camel become clearly evident for the region and the camel herders and camel do also play a significant socio-cultural role in the lives of pastoralists (4).
Ethiopia is one of the largest camel populated countries in the world. The camel population of Ethiopia is estimated to be 2.3 million of which two third is found in Eastern lowlands, from this population about 36.2% is found in Somali region (5). Ethiopia ranks third in Africa next to Somalia and Sudan (6). In Ethiopia, camel is found in eastern, south eastern and north eastern arid and semi-arid areas of the country mainly Somali region, Afar region and Borana zone which are believed to be account for about one third of the total surface area of the country (7). Even though the country has a large number of camels, little is known about its productive and reproductive performance (8).
The one humped camel (Camelus dromedaries) plays an important role in the subsistence economy of the pastoral society of eastern Ethiopia, the Somali state by providing milk, meat it is also as sole source dowry and the like (9). The ability of the camel to survive in harsh areas of the world, its endurance in prolonged drought, and above all its high potential to convert the scanty resources of the desert into milk and meat makes them more important to the pastoralists (10) .The camels have been bred owing to the extraordinary power to withstand thirst and hunger for long duration in the most inhospitable ecological conditions of the world (11).
Pathogenic diseases, poor nutrition and traditional management systems as well as lack of veterinary services have hampered their full utilization, despite the importance of dromedary in the semi-arid and arid areas where the environment is harsh and hostile (9). Parasitic diseases either lower the production and working efficiency or even may result in death of animals or sometimes potentially endanger the public health (12). Among these, several endo and Ecto-parasite have been identified as the major problems affecting the health, productivity and performance of camels (9).
Camel mange is the second disease which is often considered to be the most parasitic disease affecting the production and productivity of the animal next to Trypanosomosis, and having its public health importance (13). Camel mange is an extremely pruritic and contagious disease of camel caused by a small parasite Sarcoptes scabiei var cameli (14). It mostly affects the head, neck, flanks, inner side of the thighs and inguinal region of the animal (15). Sarcoptes are a burrowing mite that penetrates deep into skin and lead to pruritus, development of papules, hairless areas and scab formation (16). “Sarcoptes scabiei var cameli” infestation causes serious disturbance and irritation leading to poor health status of animal and decreased production and efficiency (17).
The transmission of camel mange is determined by the interaction of the factors associated the host and external environment. It is very important in the rainy season, where it spreads fast through direct or indirect contact of animals (18). This disease has only one causative agent, a mite of the family Sarcoptidea, Sarcoptes scabies vari cameli (19). This mite is particularly confined to genus Camelus, humans are also infected. The life cycle lasts for 5 weeks. The parasite survives off the host for a maximum of 2 weeks. Fertilized females dig into epidermis causing inflammation and pruritis. When larvae, nymphs or adults are transferred from infected camel to healthy one, or when from objects which had come in contact with an infected camel, such as harnesses, tents and tree trucks or contact with soil transmission occurs (20).
Contempt very few studies had been reported the prevalence of camel mange in Ethiopia: For instance, prevalence of 10.68% 25%, 31.5% were reported from Dire Dawa, Borana and Fafan respectively (16, 21, 22). Despite these studies, there is no current information regarding the prevalence of camel mange and its associated risk factors in the study areas. Therefore, the objectives of this study was