Rainy season period prevalence of helminths in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) in Nsukka, Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Eighty (80) gastrointestinal tracts of adult (>6 month old) domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) were examined for gastrointestinal helminths during the rainy season (April to August) in Nsukka, Nigeria. Monthly incidence of helminths in the chickens ranged from 94 to 100%. 96.3% of the birds were infected with at least one genus of helminth. Helminths observed were mainly of nematods species comprising Tetrameres americana (57.5%); Subulura brumpti (16.3%), Heterakis brevispi culum (8.8%), Dispharynx spiralis (7.5%), Ascaridia galli (1.25%) and Gongylonema species (1.25%). Only one cestode specie, Raillietina tetragona was observed and it had the highest prevalence rate of 92.5% of the screened birds. No cestode was recovered. Polyparasitism predominated more than monoparasitism. Male fowls carried significantly (p<0.5) more parasite burden than the females. The implications of the results are discussed with reference to the epidemiology, public health and control of helminthosis of the domestic fowl in Nigeria.


KEY WORDS: Helminth, Domestic fowl (Gallus gallus), , epidemiology.


(Nigerian Veterinary Journal: 2003 24(1): 21-27)