Survey on the Prevalence and Burden of Gastrointestinal Helminths Infections of Cattle Slaughtered at Dutse Modern Abattoir, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 288 fecal samples were tested. Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in 219 samples tested giving an overall prevalence of 76.04%. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Cooperia sp., Fasciola sp, T. saginata, T r i c o s t r o n g y l u s s p , Ostertagia, and Paraphostimum sp. High prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in cattle slaughtered was observed during the wet season; with T. saginata 106(35.2%) having highest prevalence and the least prevalent species Paraphostimum sp. with 11(3.7). There is significant association of increasing parasitic infection with months of wet season p=0.001; χ 2 =80.36. However, there was no significant association was observed during dry season p= 0.35; χ2 =21.74. the distribution of gastrointestinal helminths according to age group of the animals were found to be 77.14% in Cattle less than 2 years, 76.27% in young and 70.59% in adults. These findings implied that the majority of cattle brought for slaughter in Dutse abattoir were highly infested with several internal helminthes parasites that may present a public health problem and an important epidemiological implication. Therefore, an effective chemotherapy, an appropriate meat inspection, and famers education of proper use of anthelminthic to prevent infestation of human and to enhance food sufficiency not only in quantity but also in quality.