Prevalence of cryptosporidium in slaughter sheep and goats at Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Fecal samples were collected from 300 sheep and goats prior to slaughter at Sokoto abattoir between July and November, 2005 and impression smears of the cut surfaces of intestine, lungs and kidneys for each animal were made at post-mortem for the detection of cryptosporidium oocysts. Out of the 150 sheep examined, 22.7% were diarrheic, 1.3 % fecal samples and 0.7% impression smear from an intestine were positive for cryptosporidium oocysts. Likewise, 3.3% fecal samples and none of the impression smear from the 150 goats sampled were positive and 11.3% were diarrheic. Examination of 22 human fecal samples deposited around the abattoir premises revealed 2 (9.1%) contaminations with cryptosporidium oocysts. In view of these findings and the zoonotic implication of the infection, there is the need to reinstate and enforce ante-mortem inspection to detect and isolate sick and diarrheic animals. Likewise, personal and environmental hygiene should not be compromised to prevent contaminated meat and offal from reaching the consumers of abattoir products.

Keywords: Cryptosporidiosis; sheep; goat; feces; abattoir; Nigeria

Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp 179-182