Occurrence of parasitic helminths among free-range pigs in five Local Government Areas of Owerri zone, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of helminth parasites in free-range pigs involving 4 months fecal examinations for helminth eggs was carried out in five Local Government Areas of Owerri zone, Imo State Nigeria. Of the 90 pigs examined, 56(62.2%) were infected with gastro-intestinal helminth parasites. Among the examined pigs, 35(38.9%) were males, with an infection rate of 22(39.3%), while 55(61.1%) were females and had a prevalence rate of 34(60.7%). Taenia solium, (a cestode) recorded the highest prevalence rate of 15(26.8%) among pigs in all the LGAs and was followed by Ascaris suum (a nematode), which recorded 13(23.2%). The whipworm, Trichuris suis also a nematode occurred in pigs from all the local government areas. Physocephalus saxalatus (a nematode) recorded the least prevalence rate of 1(1.8%) and this is probably the first report of this spiruda nematode among pigs in Owerri zone, Imo state, Nigeria. Other gastro-intestinal helminth parasites encountered include the trematode, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and two other nematodes, Strongyloides ransomi and Oesophagostomum dentatum. Female pigs had more helminth infections across the 5 local government areas than the males. Veterinary education emphasizing routine medication of pigs roaming the environments of local government areas of Imo state is needed, since the present study showed very high prevalence rates of parasitic helminthes.

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2006: 72-77