Abstract

The survey of common gut helminths of goat slaughtered at Ankpa abattoir in Ankpa L.G.A, Kogi State was carried out between August to November 2013 using Femol-ether concentration techniqueand microscopy respectively to determine the public health risk associated with goat meat consumption. Faecal samples of 248 goats were collected from Ankpa abattoir and screened in Biological Sciences Laboratory, Kogi State University, Anyigba. The result revealed that out of 62 samples of Adult males examined, 47(76%) were positive with nematode parasite. Out of 62 adult females examined, 49 (76%)were positive with nematode parasites. There is no significant difference between the rates of infection in male and female adults assessed (P>0.05). For 62 young male examined,53 were positive(85%)while for 62 young female examined,51 were positive (82%).The data analysis between male and female young goats showedno significant difference (P>0.05). Results revealed that most of the goats were infected with nematode’s eggs/larvae (85%) of Strongyloides species, Oesophagostomum species, Trichostrongylus species, Haemonchus species, Ostertagia species, Bunostomum species, Gongylonema species, Giageria species, Ascaris species and Trichuris species followed by cestode eggs (14%) of Avitellina species, Taenia species and Trematode’s eggs (1%) of Schistosoma bovis. The minor helminth like trematodes and cestodes were least manifested in the faecal samples analyzed which may be as a result of seasonal infestation and/or the system of management used (semi – intensive management system) in Ankpa.The whole outcome of the work revealed that goats slaughtered at Ankpa abattoir are not free from parasitic infections. Hence there is need for effective system management and treatment before consumption as this may pose a public health risk.