ABSTRACT

A two months study was conducted from August to September using One hundred and sixty four (164) faecal samples from trade cattle slaughtered at the Umuahia Central abattoir in Abia state. The faecal samples were examined for gastro-intestinal helminths. Identification of the helminth ova in faeces was carried out using Floatation Technique at the Nigerian Veterinary Research Institute (NYRI) Umudike. Sixteen (16) helminth parasites were identified in the study. The parasites and their prevalence rates obtained from the study showed Ascaris vitulorum 17.6%, Schistosoma bovis 15.9%, Oesophagostmum radiatum 12.5%, Ascaris lumbricoides 10.2%, Bunostomum phiebotomum 9.5%, Fasciola spp. 8.5%, Thelazia spp. 6.8%, S. japonicum 6.4%, Moniezia spp.3.IO%, S. nasalis 2.4%, S. spindale 1.7%, S. indicum 1.7%, Trichuris spp. 1.4%, Cooperia spp 1.4%, Mecistocirrus digitatus 0.7% and nematodfrus helvetianus 0.3%. Nematodes predominated with a prevalence rate of 60.3%, trematodes recorded 36.6%, 'while cestodes followed with 3.10%. emphasis as laid on the zoonotically important species based on the prevalence rates of Fasciola spp 8.5% and Schistosoma japonicum 6.4%. The male cattle showed higher trematode and cestode prevalence rates of 38.6% and 3.2%.. respectively and 58.2% nematode prevalence, while the females recorded higher nematode prevalence rates of 66.7%, cestode prevalence 2.7% and trernatode prevalence 30.7%.The rate of infection with regard to sex however was not' statistically significant (P>0.05). Emphasis was laid on the zoonotically important species Fasciola spp and Schistosoma japonicum. There is a high tendency for transmission of Helminth zoonoses within the area as a result of Fascioliasis and Schistosomiasis. Broadspectrum helminth programme, strict ante-mortem and post-mortem meat inspection, with personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is emphasized to control cattle helminth infections and to safe guard the general health of the public.