Gastrointestinal Helminths Parasites of Cattle Slaughtered in Gwagwalada Abattoirs

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in cattle slaughtered in Gwagwalada abattoirs, and a total of 165 gastrointestinal helminth parasites belonging to four genera were reported. Ascaris lumbricoides, Fasciola gigantica, Taenia saginata, and Trichuris trichiura are the four genera and four species of helminth parasites found. The abattoir at Angwandodo recorded twenty-seven (27) Ascaris lumbricoides intestinal helminth parasites, six (6) Fasciola gigantica parasites, and three (3) Taenia saginata parasites. Similarly, (21) Taenia saginata was identified, followed by (12) Ascaris lumbricoides, and (9) Trichuris trichiura and Fasciola gigantica were reported at the Gwako abattoir. Furthermore, the abattoir in Giri was home to (18) Ascaris lumbricoides, (15) Taenia saginata, twelve (12) Trichuris trichiura, and three (3) Fasciola gigantica. Taenia saginata and Ascaris lumbricoides each recorded nine (9) samples, while Trichuris trichiura and Fasciola gigantica each recorded six (6) samples from an abattoir in Kutunku. From the total of one hundred and sixty-five (165) gastrointestinal parasites observed in cattle slaughtered in abattoirs, sixty-six (66) were Ascaris lumbricoides, fifty-one (51) were Taenia saginata, twenty-seven (27) were Trichuris trichiura (16.36 percent), and twenty-one (21) were Fasciola gigantica, the least parasites observed with a 12.73 percent prevalence There was a significant difference in the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in cattle slaughtered in Gwagwalada abattoirs (p<0.05). The livestock industry plays a vital role in the economy of Nigeria. It serves as a major source of income and livelihood for majority of Nigerians who are rural settlers and contributes about 5.2% to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Helminths however, cause economic losses due to reductions in milk production, weight gain, fertility and carcass quality. Zoonotic helminths of livestock origin cause health problems in humans. Hence, there is a need to monitor intestinal parasites of cattle to promote animal production and public health in Nigeria.