Review on avian helminthoses diagnosed in Osun State veterinary clinics, southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with avian helminthoses in Osun state, Nigeria. Clinical information was retrieved from the record archives of the state veterinary clinics. Case records between January 2006 and December 2015 were examined and relevant data associated with avian helminth disease were extracted. Records on four thousand nine hundred and eighty bird types (2,088 turkeys; 1,476 layers; 384 cockerels; 12 ducks and 1,020 indigenous chickens) were used in the study. Faecal examination for the presence of helminth eggs was carried out by qualified veterinarians and laboratory scientist using the simple floatation method. An overall prevalence of 62.9% (3,132/4,980) was recorded. The year-specific rate for avian helminthoses was highest in 2011 (95.5%; 503/528) and lowest in 2007 (2.0%; 1/48), while the month-specific rate was highest in December (98.9%; 95/96) and lowest in October (15.2%; 84/552). There was a significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence in adult birds compared to young ones, in female compared to male and during the dry season compared to the wet season. Ducks (91.7%; 11/12) and turkeys (84.5%; 764/2088) were the bird types with the highest prevalence rate. The high prevalence of avian helminthoses in the study area proves that the disease is endemic. There is need to embark on a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease, for improved productivity in the poultry industry in Osun state and Nigeria.