PREVALENCE OF HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS INFECTION OF SHEEP AND GOATS IN MINNA METROPOLIS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study was carried to record the prevalence of Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) egg shedding in randomly selected sheep and goats in Minna metropolis from June to September 2020. A total of 96 faecal samples from small ruminants comprising of 48 sheep and 48 goats were collected and examined using Floatation and sedimentary techniques. Overall prevalence of Haemonchus egg count in the study area was 62.5% with (75.0%) and (50.0%) prevalence in sheep and goats respectively. Female animals were found to shed more eggs (66.7%) than male animals (58.3%). Similarly, younger animals recorded higher prevalence (68.8%) than adult animals (56.3%). Hence, further study is suggested on epidemiology of Haemouchus contortus infection in the study area.