Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the dromedary camel (<em>Camelus dromedarius</em>) in the Sahara Desert

Dromedary camels, Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus (Artiodactyla, Camelidae), are vital to the livelihoods of nomadic and pastoralist communities in the Sahara Desert. However, they are susceptible to ectoparasites, which can significantly impact their health and productivity, as well as their potential role in transmitting zoonotic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, species composition, and infestation levels of ectoparasites in dromedaries from different camel herds (CH) across northern Algeria's Sahara Desert. Additionally, we assessed the effects of CH and camel age and sex on parasite loads and infestation patterns regarding the host's affected body region. A total of 68 camels out of 135, randomly selected from four herds CH1-CH4, were surveyed for ectoparasites. Ectoparasites were counted, collected, and identified in the laboratory. Pearson correlation tests were employed to analyze the relationship between parasite indices. Similarity analysis was conducted t..., A camel herd sampling and epidemiological survey were conducted
Four sites located in different municipalities were investigated using a simple random sampling, characterized by two modes of camel husbandry: periurban and extensive. The periurban system focuses on selling camel milk to travelers on the main roads. The study commenced in March and concluded in June 2021, coinciding with the onset of the hot dry season in the study area. The assistance of public veterinarians was essential to facilitate access to the farms and communication with breeders. The owners of the surveyed camels provided their verbal consent for tick sample collection. The total number of camels across the four surveyed herds was 135. Herd sizes varied from 17 to 40 camels, with a higher number of females than males in each camel herd (CH) surveyed. The age range of camels among the four herds varied from four months to eight years. The primary camel populations and breeds identified in this study include Sahrao..., , # Data from: Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the dromedary camel (*Camelus dromedarius*) in the Sahara Desert

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.37pvmcvvv](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.37pvmcvvv)

## Description of the data

Datasets used in the article entitled \"Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the Dromedary Camel (*Camelus dromedarius*) in the Sahara Desert\" published in \"Medical and Veterinary Entomology\".

The dataset reported in the Excel file named \"Attir_et_al._2025_raw_data.xlsx\" includes one sheet, named \"**Raw data of Attir et al. 2025**\". Title of the article: Epidemiological assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the Sahara Desert

**Raw data of Attir et al. 2025**: Dataset of characteristics of the sampled herds and camel breeders according to age and sex in the region of Ouled Djellal (Northern Sahara Desert of Algeria, and abundance-based distribution of ectoparasites per individ...,