2009 Volume 19 Issue 2 Pages 1-6
Two hundred and three (203) blood samples were collected from randomly selected herd comprising; cattle, 68 (33.5%), sheep 57 (28.1%), goats 16 (7.9%), donkey, 3 (1.5%) and pigs 59 (29.1%) respectively. The blood samples were collected from animals and examined in seven villages from two districts (Filiya and Lapan) of Shongom Local Government Area. These total numbers of 203 comprises 47 (23.2%) males and 156 (76.8%) females. From the males, 15 (31.9%) were cattle, 11 (23.4%) sheep, 5 (10.6%) goats, 0 (0.0%) donkey and 16 (34.0%) boar while the females consist of 53 (34.0%) cattle, 46 (29.5%) sheep, 11 (7.1%) goats, 3 (1.9%) donkeys and 43 (27.6%) sow. The blood samples from these animals were analysed using a combination of thin and thick blood films and concentration methods. Eleven (5.42%) were found to be positive for hemoparasites. These comprise. Trypanosoma vivax 1 (9.1%), Microfilariae 1 (9.1%), Babesia 8 (72.7%) and 1 (9.1%) Anaplasma. The average packed cell volume (PCV) for infected and non infected males were 33.1 ±3.3 and 33.4 ±1.5 while that of females 31.5 ±5.1 and 31.9 ±0.8 respectively. Babesia spp were find to be higher in prevalence 8 (72.7%) while T. vivax, Microfilariae and Anaplasma accounts for least occurrence 1 (9.1%) each. This indicates high prevalence rate of ticks (vector of babesiosis) and absence of Glossina spp biological transmitters of zoonotic trypanosomiasis in the study area.
