Prevalence of endoparasites in cattle with zoonotic potential within urban and peri-urban areas of Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya

Abstract

The growing human population and the tendency to keep livestock in urban centers has caused concern due to the unplanned nature of such developments and the constraints they cause. A study was carried in six sites within Kisumu urban and peri-urban focused on the cattle parasites. Three different age groups were faecal sampled for determination of the prevalence and infection levels of various helminth and protozoans especially those with zoonotic potential. Associations and correlations between different variables were determined. The prevalence of various parasite types was 51% strongyles, 2% Strongyloides papillosus, 2% Toxocara vitulorum, 2% Trichuris species. Others were Fasciola 64.2%; Paramphistomum 31.3%, Moniezia species (16%) and Entomoeba 83%; Coccidia species 30%; Giardia species 14% and Balantidium coli 6.6%. The correlations in prevalence and intensity between age, breed, different parasite types and area of origin are discussed. Strongyles were the most common nematodes and especially among the under one year olds. Trematodes were significantly more frequent and intense in young stock and adults compared to the calves. Majority cattle had 2 to 3 parasite types while very few had none, single or multiple infections involving 4 parasite typ