Intestinal Parasites Of Wild Squirrel And Giant Rat In Okpatu Village, Enugu State

ABS1RACT

 The prevalence and epidemiology of intestinal parasites of wild vertebrates and captive animals Si are neglected mostly in developing countries. Some of'this parasites are zoonotic and can cause death to both human and other animals. This study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite of wild Giant rat and Squirrel in Okpatu community of Enugu state. One hundred and thirty three (133) rodents which include 102 Giant rat and 31 Squirrel were used for the study. Samples were collected fi*om the hunters and meat vendors, which were analyzed using sedimentation technique. Parasites recovered were Strongyloide ratti(21.05%), Trichuris muris (12.78%), Ascaris sp. (9.02%), Toxocara sp. (5.26%), Hymenolepis nana(3.76%) and Giardia cluoclencilis (2.26%). An overall prevalence of 57.84% was recorded for the Giant rat and 41.94% are S ongyloides ratti 22(21.57%), Trichuri muris 12(11.76%), Ascaris Sp. 10(9.80%). Toxocara Sp. 7(6.86%), Hymenolepis nana 5(4.90%) and Giardia cluoclencilis 3(2.94%) were recorded fi*om the Giant rat while in squirrel, Toxocara Sp. 6(19.35%). Sfron^loides ratti 5(16.13%), Trichuri muris 4(4.90%), and Ascaris Sp. 2(6.45%) were also recorded. The female Giant rat were more infected 36(35.29%) than the male 23(22.55%). also the female Squirrel, were more infected 8(25.81%) than the male 5(6.13%). Mixed infection of Strongyloide ratti. Trichuris muris, Ascaris sp., Toxocara sp., Hymenolepis nana and Giardia cluodenalis occurred in Giant rats, while mixed infection of Strongyloide ratti and Trichuris muris occurred in SqiuiTel. Giardia duodenalis (2.26%) is the only protozoa parasite discovered in this study while Strongyloide ratti (21.05%) is the most prevalent in this study. A total of 46 questionnaires on the Icnowledge, attitude and perception of the intestinal parasites of Giant rat and Squirrel was distributed among hunters and meat vendors at the study area. The result of 36 questionnaires recovered showed that many 29(80.56%) meat vendors do not properly wash their hands after processing the meat, all 36(100%) of them do not screen the animal for parasites before domestication, some 4(11.11%) meat vendors eat the meat undercooked, all 36(100%) the meat vendors do not wear hand gloves while handling the animal and most 4(11.11) of the meat vendors do not dispose their droppings properly. Hence, eating of undercooked meats of wild animals, poor personal and environmental practices could lead to transmission of intestinal parasites to hunters, meat vendors and other consumers. High personal, environmental hygienic practices and proper handling or management of wild rodents were recommended.