Epidemiology and seasonal dynamics of adult Haemonchus contortus in goats of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

A survey was carried out to determine the prevalence and seasonal abundance of Haentonchus contortus in the semi arid zone of Uttar Pradesh, India between January 2010 to December 2013. Entire gastrointestinal tract from slaughtered goats were brought to the laboratory. Parasites were collected from the abomasum, counted and recorded on monthly basis. The collected data were analyzed on the basis of temperature, rainfall and humidity of the months/seasons. Out of total 635 goats, 383 (60%) were found to be infected with H. contortus. The mean intensity and abundance was found as 354 and 263 respectively. Marked variations in the prevalence, mean intensity and abundance were noticed during different month/season of the year. Highest values of these infection indices were found in the rainy season and lowest in summer. Although prevalence, intensity and abundance were positively correlated with temperature, rainfall and humidity but only the effect of rainfall was found to be statistically significant. The present study provides a consolidated account on the seasonal dynamics of H. contortus, which can be used for integrated control measures of this blood sucking parasite under local environment conditions.