Prevalence of nematode parasite, Contracaecum, in Nile tilapia, African catfish and Barbus species in Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to March 2018 at Lake Hawassa to determine the prevalence of larval Contracaecum infestation in Nile tilapia, (Oreochromis niloticus), African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Barbus species (Barbus intermedius). Fifty-two point six per cent (52.6%) previous prevalence and 5% precision were used to estimate the sample size. Accordingly, a total of 383 randomly sampled fish species comprising of 163 (42.6%) C. gariepinus, 159 (41.5%) O. niloticus and 61(15.9%) B. intermedius were examined. The length and weight of each sampled fish were recorded. All the sampled fish were examined for the evidence of Contracaecum parasites in Hawassa University Veterinary Parasitology and Pathology Laboratory. Chi-square values and comparison of proportions were used to analyse the data. The overall prevalence of Contracaecum parasites of fish population was 31.6%. The distribution of parasite was significantly affected by fish species (p = .000), sexes (p = .018), length (p = .003) and weight classes of fish (p = .026). As a hygienic problem and gutting activity conducted at the sides of the Lake Hawassa and distribution of discarded fish wastes for surrounding piscivorous birds by butchers and other people, the life cycle of Contracaecum parasite was perpetuated. Thus, the parasite is of zoonotic significance. Therefore, awareness creation activities for societies and control of fish parasites should be conducted in the study area.