author(s)
Shanmugasundaram Udhayavel, Kandasamy Senthilvel, Tippichettypalayam Ramasamy Gopala Krishna Murthy and Vasudevan Gowthaman

abstract
Five numbers of 24 months old desi chicken were diagnosed with flea infestation during a clinical examination in Poultry disease diagnosis and surveillance laboratory, Namakkal. The fleas were embedded around the eyes and were identified as sticktight fleas (Echidnophaga gallinacea). The infestation was treated with manual removal of fleas combined with topical malathion dusting and environmental treatment. Subsequent recheck exams did not reveal any fleas on the affected birds or on any of the other birds housed in the same farm.