Facteurs De La Propagation De La Gale Bovine Eleves A La Ferme De Nzengu Dans La Province De Lomami, En République Démocratique Du Congo

Résumé

RESUME

La gale est une maladie parasitaire contagieuse qui peut atteindre tous les animaux domestiques, aussi bien que l’homme. Les gales des animaux sont provoquées par des sarcoptes, des psoroptes, des chorioptes et des demodex et chaque espèce animale peut présenter plusieurs variétés de gale. Les maladies sont à l’origine des pertes économiques importantes dans les élevages.

Scabies is a contagious parasitic disease that can affect all domestic animals as well as humans. Animal scabies are caused by sarcoptes, psoroptes, chorioptes, and demodex, and each animal species may present several varieties of scabies. These diseases are responsible for significant economic losses in livestock farming.

OBJECTIF

D’analyser les facteurs spécifiques qui favorisent la propagation de la gale bovine en tenant compte de réalités locales de la ferme NZENGU.

METHODDES

Nous avons mené une étude descriptive et analytique et transversale sur 86 bovins élevés à la ferme NZENGU, située dans la province de Lomami, en République Démocratique du Congo. La récolte manuelle des goûtes et le prélèvement sanguin des échantillons pour l’examen microscopique des germes pathogènes transmis par les sarcoptes  chez les bovins ont été effectués pendant une période de trois mois.

RESULTATS

Pendant la période de notre étude, notre échantillon était constitué de 86 cas et 50 ont été atteints de la gale bovine. La gale appartenait à trois espèces dont la gale psoroptique (40%), la gale démodécique  (36%), chorioptes (24%).

CONCLUSION

Les résultats de notre étude ont montré une infection importante des bovins à la ferme NZENGU par typhus contagieux (79,07%), gale sarcoptique (74,42%) et hypodermose du bœuf (73,26%). Pour y remédier, il importe que les responsables de la ferme améliorent leur conduite d’élevage, en engageant une lutte acharnée contre les agents vecteurs de la gale.

MOTS CLES : Facteurs, propagation, galle bovine, bovins, ferme NZENGU, R.D. CONGO.

ABSTRACT

Bovine scabies is a contagious parasitic skin disease caused by mites that reproduce under the skin, leading to intense itching, lesions, and thickening of the skin. Scabies is highly contagious and can result in growth losses, emaciation, and may sometimes be transmitted to humans (sarcoptic scabies).

Worldwide, there are approximately 400 million cases of scabies each year, in Belgium as well as in other European countries. In 2017, sarcoptic scabies was considered the most significant ectoparasitosis in pig farming, particularly in intensive production systems. Another study mentions that certain cattle farms in Belgium, conducted by Damien Archande in 2025, reported up to 74% of operations affected by psoroptic scabies in cattle [1].

It should also be noted that another survey in Alberta (Canada), conducted by Alberta CA in 2025, found that 10 to 15% of cattle presented with demodex infections [2].

In Ethiopia, a study conducted by Taylor et al. in 2022 found a prevalence of 22.4% for scabies mites among 384 cattle examined [3]. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a study on goats in the territories of Kalemie and Moba indicated that dermatoses (including scabies) accounted for 93.4% of the pathologies observed in the sample [4]. Although this does not directly concern cattle, it suggests that parasitic skin infections are common in livestock in this region. It is evident that a review on prophylaxis and epidemiological surveillance policies for bovine diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights that surveillance systems are very weak and data are limited [5].

The Democratic Republic of Congo, a country with strong agro-pastoral potential, sees livestock farming play a central role in rural areas, where family farms adopt traditional practices. The territory of Luilu, particularly the Kanda Kanda sector, illustrates this dynamic with a growing concentration of rural farms. The Nzengu farm, located in the village of the same name, is a representative example, with a diversified herd composed of cattle, rabbits, and sheep, including some improved imported breeds. It is situated in a humid tropical zone facing bovine scabies, with several clinical cases recorded.

In response to this situation, an applied study was conducted to identify the factors of propagation and propose appropriate measures. It relies on field observations, interviews with farmers, and an analysis of zootechnical practices with the aim of strengthening local capacities and promoting sustainable livestock farming.

The major problem lies in the absence of effective preventive measures and adequate veterinary monitoring, which favor the spread of bovine scabies. It is therefore crucial to identify the specific factors in this environment and propose control strategies to improve animal health and farm productivity.

The spread of bovine scabies on the farm appears to be linked to several combined factors: high animal density and humid climatic conditions create a favorable environment for the development of mites