Prevalence of intestinal parasites among ruminant animals in Dukpa community Gwagwalada FCT-Abuja

Abstract

An epidemiological study was conducted from May-December, 2024 on the prevalence of intestinal parasites among ruminant animals in Dukpa Community Gwagwalada FCT-Abuja.  A total of 600 ruminant animals comprising of 130 cattle, 256 goats and 214 sheep were examined using flotation technique to identify the parasitic ova. The overall prevalence rate of 62% was observed, cattle had the highest prevalence rate of 69.2% followed by goats 63.3% and then sheep with 56.1%. The difference in prevalence rate between different species of the animals were not statistically significant p>0.05. Fulani cattle breed had the highest prevalence rate of 71.43%, followed by Wad Sheep and West African Dwarf goat with 66.18% and 65.57% respectively. The difference in prevalence rate between the different breed of goat and sheep animals was statistically significant p<0.05 but between the species of cattle were not significant. The prevalence rate was higher in female goat 69%, cattle 69% and male sheep 59% whereas their counterparts had 48%, 67% and 59% respectively. Both young and adult of all breed were infected. The different in prevalence rate between the sex and age of sheep and cattle were statistically insignificant but were significant between the sexes and age of goat. Nine parasites species were identified Ascaris lumbricoides 34%, Ancylostom spp 19%, Trichostrongylus spp 17%, Strongyloides stecoralis 11%, Trichuris globulosa 10%, Haemonchus contortus 5%, Entoribius vermicularis 2%, Fasciola hepatica 1% and Eimeria faurei 1%. The intestinal parasites are endemic in this study area and major species encountered have the zoonotic potentials that can threaten human and other animal’s health. Educating farmers on the benefit of regular deworming is recommended.