LU-CAEHS Research Seminar
“Meningeal Worm Control Among Sheep and Goats in Missouri”
There is a growing demand for lamb and goat meat in the United States, and this demand is expected to continue increasing. However, domestic production has steadily declined over the past several decades, leading to a reliance on imported frozen lamb and goat meat. Among the major constraints to small ruminant production, parasitic infections are the leading cause of losses in the U.S. Effective parasite control is therefore critical for improving productivity and profitability.
One particularly important parasite is the meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis), a nematode that naturally infects white-tailed deer but can accidentally infect sheep and goats. When this spillover occurs, it often results in severe neurological disease and high mortality. Infected herds may experience up to 22% infection rates, and mortality among affected animals can reach 44% if not promptly treated.
Antemortem diagnosis of meningeal worm infection is challenging because clinical signs are primarily neurological and can resemble other diseases. Environmental factors—such as increased moisture and temperature that promote gastropod (intermediate host) activity, along with the prevalence of white-tailed deer—facilitate the transmission of infective larvae to sheep and goats, which serve as aberrant hosts. Given Missouri’s unique climatic conditions and livestock production systems, the occurrence and interaction of both the primary and intermediate hosts may differ from other regions. A better understanding of the epidemiology of meningeal worm infections in Missouri will aid in developing more effective control and prevention strategies.
Presented by Dr. Mohan Acharya, State Extension Specialist for Sheep and Goat Production in Missouri.
Dr. Acharya earned both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. His graduate research focused on sheep and goat nutrition, reproduction, and parasite control.
Following completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Acharya served as a Postdoctoral Researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) in Booneville, Arkansas, where he concentrated on improving sheep and goat production systems. His primary research interests center on sustainable parasite control in small ruminants, including the use of copper oxide wire particles, strategic application of chemical dewormers, genetic selection for parasite-resistant animals, and management practices that reduce reliance on anthelmintic treatments. He also investigates pasture management strategies, approaches to minimize anthelmintic resistance, and the use of tannin-rich forages such as sericea lespedeza. In addition to parasite management, Dr. Acharya’s work encompasses other key aspects of small ruminant production, including reproduction, nutrition, silvopastoral livestock systems, and disease control.
