Prevalence of helminth parasites of pigs slaughtered in Sentlhane farms and Gaborone north abattoirs, Botswana

Abstract

A survey of the helminth parasites associated with pork slaughtered in Sentlhane farms and Gaborone north abattoirs was carried out between January and March, 2015. 10 pigs were utilized for the study. A total of 143 helminths were counted in the sample (growers: piglets, 1-12 months old) from Sentlhane farms, while 112 helminthes were counted in the sample (adults: > 12months old), from Gaborone north abattoirs. The helminthes from Sentlhane farms were; 41.3% Hyostrongylus rubidus, 36.4% Oesophagostomum spp., 13.3% Trichinella spiralis and 9.1% Ascaris suum. The helminthes from Gaborone north abattoir were; 45.5% Oesophagostomum spp., 33.9% H. rubidus and 20.5% A. suum. Thus H. rubidus and Oesophagostomum spp. were the most predominant helminths (>40%) while A. suum was the least (9.1-20.5 %) recorded.