Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Haemoparasites of Small Ruminants Slaughtered at Maiduguri Central Abattoir, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. -

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites of small ruminants slaughtered at Maiduguri Central Abattoir. A total of 150 blood samples were randombly collected from small ruminants between the months of February and March, 2018. The samples were screened for haemoparasites by examining Giemsa stained thin blood films. An overall prevalence of 13.3% was recorded for haemoparasites of small ruminants. Among different sexes, males had a higher prevalence of 8.0% than females with 5.3%, So also Caprine spp had a higher prevalence of 10.0% compared to Ovine spp with 3.3%. Adult animals had a higher prevalence of 10.6% compared to Young animals with a prevalence of 2.6%. Anaplasma spp and Babesia spp were the only parasites detected with Anaplasma spp having the highest prevalence rate of 11.3% and Babesia spp with 2.5%. This study provides information on the status of haemoparasitism in small ruminants that arrive for slaughter in Maiduguri Metropolis and calls for more control/preventive measures to eradicate haemoparasites to provide wholesome meat for the general populace.