ABSTRACT

A three month study was conducted from September to December using one hundred and sixty four (164) faecal samples from West African Dwarf Goat (Capra hircus) in Umuariaga community Ikwuano L.G.A Abia State. The faecal samples were examined for helminth parasite. Identification of helminth egg in faeces was carried out using saline method. 133 (81.1 % ) of helminth eggs in faecal samples were infected by helminth parasites, this indicates high prevalence of infection. Major factors identified to be responsible for the high prevalence of the parasite are namely: poor system management, illiteracy lack of deworming programme, commercial purpose of keeping the goat, overcrowding of goat, and very old farmers in the business. The prevalence rate of the parasite obtained from the study showed the highest prevalence rate for Nematode 85.7%, Trematode 73.7%, while Cestode 6.7%. The infection rate for female reveals high nematode burden of 96.8%, Trematode 65.6%, Cestode 6.3%, the male showed lower Nematode burden of 83.1 % when compared with the female and higher trematode of 76.2%, Cestode recorded 6.9% which was high prevalence in male goats. Generally Schistosome specie has high prevalence rate of 37 .3% followed by Oesophagostomus 27.8% Charbetia ovis 22.6%. the lower prevalence was recorded for Trichuris species 3.0%, Dictocoelium species 5.2% Dictyocaulus specie 1.5%, Nematodirus 0.7%. The rate of infection with regards to sex however was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The public health implication of some zoonotic important species for example Fasciola and Schistosoma species, with high tendency for transmission within the area were highlighted. The findings of this result are discussed in relation to their uses in control and proper management of goat rearing. Environmental sanitation and personal hygiene were also emphasized to safe guard the general health of the public