ABSTRACT

Housefly is one of the best known and most widely distributed insects, accounting for 90% of all flies in human habitation. A study was carried out to determine the parasitic load on houseflies (Musca domestica) in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. A total of 544 houseflies were captured they were examined for parasitic loads, using concentration/floating technique for detection of parasites. The principle behind this technique is that, the Willis solution reduces the density of the parasites ova enabling them to float to the bream ofthe test tube, which is collected by a cover slip placed on a glass slide containing iodine and was viewed under the microscope using the oil immersion of the microscope. The highest fly abundance recorded was 302 captured from the farm centre, followed by 219 captured from the hostel; the lowest was 23 captured from the canteen. The total number of parasites species found was 3, which are Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus and Fasciola hepatica, all in ova form. With a percentage prevalence ofAscaris lumbricoides 18 (54.54%), followed by Necator americanus 14 (42.42%), and Fasciola hepatica 1(3.03%) respectively. A simple chi square test was carried out and the results indicated that calculated chi-square was higher than the tabulated chi-square showing significance difference in the prevalence of flies and parasites recovered from the sites. Based on this, it is therefore recommended that health education on the dangers of infection, mode of transmission and prevention of these flies should be intensified in university community and beyond through the health outfits. The importance of inculcating simple hygiene consciousness in the individuals living and working with the university should be emphasized for instance, washing of hands after visiting the toilet, disposing wastes properly and keeping the surrounding neat always.