Assessment of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pigs Raised in Different Communities in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
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Abstract
Gastrointestinal parasites pose significant health risks to pigs by affecting their growth and productivity. This study assessed the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in pigs across different communities within Ebonyi Local Government Area, Nigeria. In total, 330 pigs were randomly selected from various farms in this area. Astructured questionnaire was developed and administered to pig farmers to gather information on management practices, farm conditions, and signs of gastrointestinal parasite infections. Faecal samples were collected from each pig during the examination and transported to the Applied Biology Laboratory of Ebonyi State University for analysis. Aflotation technique was used to identify the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. The sample was examined under a microscope at various magnifications, and species identification was performed based on morphological characteristics. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 48.2%, with a higher infection rate in pigs older than 6 months (11.8%) than in the younger age groups. Male pigs had a higher prevalence (28.2%) than female pigs (20.0%). Among the different farms, Nwambam farm had the highest prevalence (12.4%), whereas Adian farms had the lowest (7.3%). Infection status varied significantly across different growth stages, with growers showing the highest infection rate (15.45%). The English White breed was the most affected (21.2%) compared to other breeds. In total, 484 parasites were identified, predominantly in the colon (215). The diversity of parasite species was
highest in the Oroke Onuoha farm (22 species). These findings highlight a significant prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in pigs in Ebonyi LGA, with variations based on age, sex, farm location, and breed. Effective management strategies are essential for mitigating the impact of these parasites on pig health and productivity.
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