Fish mongers and public awareness on fish-food hygiene in Nigeria.

Sale of fish is a thriving business in Nigeria because of the high demand for fish. However, there is lack of public awareness on the need for fish hygiene by fish mongers and consumers. This paper discusses the issue of hygiene as it affects a fish shop environment, insects and pests of fish, preservation, handling, transportation, packaging, fish marketing and distribution. Suggestions on improving fish food hygiene and strategies for establishing fish guidelines and inspections are highlighted.

Ivermectin in the treatment of helminthiasis in caged raised adult guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas).

The treatment of natural infections of helminthiasis in caged raised guinea-fowls indicates a high efficacy of ivermectin in the elimination of infection due to both juvenile and adult stages of Heterakis gallinarum, Ascaridia galli, Subulura suctoria, Raillietina spp. and Capillaria caudinflata at dose levels of 0.07 mg/kg and 0.14 mg/kg per adult bird, subcutaneously administered. Guinea-fowls treated responded with no observable side effect and remained clean of any helminth infection for over 6 weeks. Discussion on the broad-spectrum and cost-effectiveness of the drug are briefly mentioned.

Ivermectin in the control of helminthiasis in guinea fowl Numida meleagris galeata Pallas.

Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) were treated with subcutaneous injection of Ivomec at dose rate of 0.14 mg/kg to control and reduce mortalities due to helminthiasis. Ten hours after treatment faecal droppings contained both adult and larval stages of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Subulura suctoria and fragments of Raillietina spp. Recovery was found 48 hours later. Drug efficacy was 100%.

Ectoparasites of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) and local domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) in southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria.

The ectoparasites of poultry in a southern guinea savanna zone were investigated by the examination of guinea fowl and local domestic chickens in the range and guinea fowl under intensive management. The prevalent ectoparasites of range guinea fowl and local chickens include seven species of lice Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Numidilipeurus tropicalis, Damalinia bovis; three mites Bdellonyssus bursa, Megninia cubitalis, Dermanyssus gallinae; two fleas Echidnophaga gallinacea, Ctenocephalides felis and two ticks Argas persicus and Ambylomma variegatum. Under intensive management, infestation by G. gigas, L. caponis and M. gallinae led to clinical signs, feather damage, reduced food intake and death.

Intestinal helminths of cats in the Kainji Lake area, Nigeria.

Six parasitic helminths detected were Ancylostoma sp., Opisthorchis felineus, Toxocara mystrax, Hepaticola hepatica, Taenia sp. and Hydatigera taeniaeformis. The prevalence of H. hepatica, T. mystrax and H. taeniaeformis is associated with rodents hunted by cats, and that of O. felineus with fish fed to cats. The role of cats as primary host and reservoir for these helminths, which could be of zoonotic importance, is briefly mentioned.

Ectoparasites and gastrointestinal parasites of nomadic cattle infiltrating into Kainji Lake National Park Nigeria.

The examination of 317 nomadic cattle infiltrating into the Kainji Lake National Park revealed seven tick species, Ambylomma variegatum, Boophilus decolaratus, B. annulatus, Hylomma aegyptium, Rhipicephalus appendiculata?, R. everti, R. simus senegalensis, one mite Demodex bovis and a lice species Damalina bovis. These ectoparasites have the ability of attaching to wild animals of the park in particular the two host and three host tick species Hylomma sp., Rhipicephalus spp. and Ambylomma sp. The endoparasites include nine nematodes species, five trematodes and eimeria sp. The occurrence of these endoparasites is an indication of the risk of cross-infection because similar helminth fauna have been reported in wild animals of the park. It is concluded that the need to prevent entry of cattle into the park should be encouraged because of the pasture contamination and potential risk of cross parasitic infection between the domestic cattle and wild animals of the park.

Flies (Diptera) infesting landed fresh water fishes of the Kainji Lake area, Nigeria.

Eleven species of flies were found to land indiscriminately on fresh fish in fish monger's sheds. They include Musca domestica, M. lusoria, Fannia canicularis, Stomoxys calcitran, Lyperosia minuta, Chrysomia chloropyga, C. bezziana, Gastrophilus ovis, Tabanus sp, Lucilia cuprina and Sacrophaga haemorrhoidalis. The public health significance of promiscuous landing of flies on fresh fish in relation to disease and fish spoilage are discussed.

Bacterial flora associated with an organic manure-aquaculture system in Kainji Lake Basin area, Nigeria.

Studies on poultry-cum fish integrated aquaculture system showed contamination of water and fish by faecal and Streptococci coliform, with most probable numbers of 10(5) Fc/100 ml and 10(3) Fc/100 ml respectively. It was also found that both water and fish muscles are contaminated with Pseudomonas sp, Escherichia sp., Aeromonas sp. and Staphylococcus sp. which are of public health significance and could play primary role as occupational disease of fish handlers.

Zoonotic helminths of dogs and cats at New Bussa, Kainji Lake area, Nigeria.

A survey of the dog and cat population at New Bussa revealed a significant high frequency of potential helminths of public health importance. This include hookworm Ancylostoma spp.; Echinococcus granulosa, Dipylidium caninum in dog; and Opisthorchis felineus, Toxocara cati and Capillaria hepatica in cat. The rural conditions of the area is an important factor in understanding the role cat and dog may play in spread of uncommon human parasites.

Canine and human gastrointestinal helminthiasis of the Kainji Lake area, Nigeria.

An investigation into gastrointestinal helminthiasis in human and dog population of the Kainji Lake area revealed a high prevalence of helminthiasis which may be due to lack of adequate health and veterinary facilities; crowdiness and squalid environment. The prevalent parasites in humans were Ancylostoma sp, 40.33%; Ascaris lumbricoides, 44.07% and Strongyloides stercoralis 4.05%, while in dogs Ancylostoma sp, 36.95%, Dipylidium caninum, 28.26%, Echinococcus granulosus, 8.69% and S. stercoralis 5.43%. The risk of incidental occurrence of helminths of dog, D. caninum, Toxocara canis, E. granulosus are highlighted and the need to educate the community on hygiene matters in the absence of adequate health facilities are recommended.

Helminth egg count of some wild mammals in the Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria.

Between 1978 to 1984 a total of 108 faecal droppings were examined from carnivorous, primates, arthiodactyla, rodentia, lagomorpha and proboscidae families of wild animal from Kainji Lake National Park. Results reveal the prevalence of Ascaridia, Strongyle, Fasciola, Ancylostoma and Trichuris ova species in order of abundance. Egg counts were highest amongst the arthiodactyla and during the rainy season. The season of the year, animal dispersion may be important in the epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminth.

The prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites and bacteria in the game scouts at the Kainji Lake National Park of Nigeria.

The faeces of twenty scouts working at Borgu games were examined for the presence of parasites and bacteria. Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas hominis were found. Helminth ova encountered included those of Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Stronglyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura. Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri were isolated from one faecal sample each. In all, parasites were found in the faeces of only 9 scouts. The epidemiological significance of the infections in highlighted.

Parasitic infections of the grey-breasted helmet guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris galeata) in Nigeria.

The major helminth parasites found in wild, semi-wild and golden Sovereign stock guinea fowl were Heterakis gallinarum, Ascaridia galli, Capillaria caudinflata, Raillietina tetragona and R. echinobothrida, while Eimeria species was the most important gastro-intestinal protozoan parasite. The incidence of the latter was higher in the semi-wild stock than in the wild stock. Necropsy of dead guinea-fowl indicated that A. galli, H. gallinarum and Eimeria species were indeed responsible for their deaths, especially in the young birds. Parasites found in blood smears were Leucocytozoon sp., Plasmodium sp. and Aegyptianella pullorum. The only tick found, Argas persicus, was on a few semi-wild stock, while lice of genus Damalinia were found only on wild birds.