Ngele Kalu Kalu*, Ebi Sowechi and Anuonye, Blessing C

ABSTRACT: Helminthes parasites are one of the major causes of economic loss in ruminants all over the world, leading
to decrease in number of ruminants mainly in developing countries. This study was aimed at identifying parasitic
helminthes and its prevalence among ruminants slaughtered at Abakiliki abattoir. Fecal samples were collected using a
screw capped universal container and examined using flotation techniques. Two hundred ruminants comprising 75 cattle,
75 sheep and 50 goats were examined for different species of helminthes parasites. The Cattle and sheep had prevalence
of 89.3% each while goats had a prevalence of 72.0%. Single infections had a prevalence of 71.5% while multiple
infections had a prevalence of 13.5%. Platyhelminthes and nematodes were recovered from the study, with nematode
infection being more prevalent than the platyhelminthes. Bunostomum spp. had the highest prevalence of 34.7% among
the nematode parasites recovered while Strongyloides spp. had the least prevalence of 1.0%. Taenia spp. and Fasciola
spp. were the only platyhelminthes parasites recovered with prevalence of 17.0% and 6.5% respectively. In conclusion,
the results show that there is high prevalence of helminthes infections among ruminants slaughtered at Abakaliki abattoir.
Hence, there is need for constant inspection of animals during and after slaughtering by health officers before
consumption.

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