Prevalence Of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections Among Ruminants Animals Slaughtered In Katagum Abattoir Of Bauchi State, Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasites (helminthes) caused a major public health problem for farmers in many rural communities including the study area. The direct losses caused by these parasites are attributed to acute illness and death, premature slaughter and rejection of some parts at meat inspection and the indirect losses due to diminution of productive potential such as decreased growth rate, weight loss in young growing animals and late maturity of slaughter stock (Hansen and Perry, 1994). These animals (Cattle, Goats and sheep) represent an important source of animal protein in many countries of the world, supplying a good percentage of the daily meat and dairy products in cities and villages in such countries including Nigeria (Nwosu et al., 2007). Apart from being the source of animal protein, their wastes are also very important in agriculture (Nawathe et al., 1985 and Nwosu et al., 2007). In some traditional settings including the study area, they play an essential role in the socioeconomic system, representing family wealth or survival kit especially in the rural areas. However, these animals serve as sources of income earning to major ruminant’s dealers/sellers of live animals and butchers (meat sellers). It generates employments and creates markets for larger number of people who explore the animal’s products and byproducts for economic gain (Lawal-Adebowale, 2012). Meat as one of the most important Abstract: An epidemiological study of gastrointestinal parasitic infections of animals slaughtered in Katagum Local Government Abattoir of Bauchi state, Nigeria was carried out between May to September, 2016. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite and their types found in the area in relation to sex and species of the animal slaughter in the area. A total of 400 faecal sample were examined using formol ether concentration technique, 247 (61.8%) were infected with different gastrointestinal parasites. The parasite encountered during the study included Nematode (Ascaris spp, Haemonchus spp, Strongyloides sp and Trichuris spp), Cestoda (Taenia spp and Avitellina spp) and trematode (Fasciola spp, Schistosoma spp Dicrocolium spp and Gastrotylax spp). The prevalence of the infection between species was 95 (71.6%), 53 (60.4%) and 252 (58.4%) for the sheep, cattle and goat respectively. Among the sheep and goat examined females were more infected than males while in the cattle males were more infected than their female counterparts. The result of the study revealed a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among animals slaughtered in the area. Therefore, there is need for educating the farmers on proper animal health care, feeding, sanitary conditions and routine deworming of their animal towards maximum productivity.