Study on the Ectoparasites and Haemoparasites of Domestic Rats in Parts of Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State

Study on the prevalence of ectoparasites and haemoparasites of domestic rats in parts of Akure South Local Government was carried out from July to September 2015. The rodents were trapped using locally fabricated traps. Body brushing technique was used to collect their ectoparasites. Blood samples from each rat were collected and examine using standard biological techniques. Specie of rodents captured was the cosmopolitan commensal rodents: Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, and Mastomys natalensis. The ectoparasites collected from the rats are species of ticks: Haemaphysalis spp, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, fleas: Xenopsylla cheopis, mites: Dermanyssus spp and lice: Polyplax spp. The total ectoparasite prevalence was 44% with tick (Haemaphysalis spp) being the most prevalent (33.3%) and (Xenopsylla cheopis) being the least prevalent (7.4%). High prevalence was found in Apatapiti (16%) than in Aba and Akindeko hostel with prevalence of (12%), and Road block (8%), Jibowu hostel have the least prevalence (4%). The haemoparasites identified were Plasmodium and Trypanasoma species with prevalence of 12% and 4% respectively. The overall rodent ectoparasite index of 1.08 signifies a potential risk to human health. The public health implications of these findings require community–wide rodents control strategies with strong emphasis on community participation in order to prevent rapid spread of rodent population.