Sharhabilu Ibrahim
The study was conducted in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of giardia cyst in calves grazing along Sokoto Rima River. A total of 288 samples were obtained from calves (Sokoto Gudali, White Fulani, Red bororo beeds) between March and August, 2016. The presence of giardia cyst was determined by fecal floatation technique using zinc sulphate as floatation fluid. It was found that only 21(7.29%) of the samples revealed the presence of giardia cyst, with male having 8.55% and female 6.43%, breed distribution showed Sokoto gudali with 6.77% to be having the highest prevalence, while white Fulani and Red bororo had 5.95% and 3% respectively, the study indicates that the infection is more common in male than in female also more common in Sokoto gudali breed than white Fulani breed and Red bororo breeds.
This suggest that calves grazing along Sokoto Rima River are susceptible to giardia infection, although the prevalence in this study was low, there is need to institute strict control program by the authorities concerned in the study area due to zoonotic nature of the disease and to reduce risk of contracting the disease by other animal species, there is also need for adequate water treatment at water board before supply for public usage. A program to educate cattle owners and public will help to reduce the risk of contracting giardia infection.