Epidemiology of gastrointestinal worm infections in pigs reared in Enugu State, Nigeria

Gastrointestinal worm infections (GWI) constrain pig production and zoonotic pig parasites make pork unsafe for human consumption. This study determined the distributions, determinants and dynamics of GWI and also the effect of the infection on production parameters in pigs reared in Enugu State, Nigeria. The GWI were determined by faecal egg counts following standard procedure. Sixty piggeries and 564 pigs were randomly selected for the study. Questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain data on some production parameters and risk practices aiding GWI in the piggeries. An overall prevalence of 88.3% (53/60) and 68.1% (384/564) at farm and individual pig levels respectively were recorded. High egg counts of single and mixed infections involving Strongyle, Ascaris and Trichuris species were found. The infection predominated in young (74.1%, 240/324) and female (72.3%, 272/376) pigs during the rainy/wet season (74.5%, 204/274). Rearing pigs of different ages together, feeding pigs with untreated abattoir/poultry waste, and unhygienic on-farm feed compounding were the major risk practices underpinning acquisition and spread of GWI. Infected piggeries had less litter weight and reduced mean weight at weaning and maturity. Pre-weaning piglet mortality was 15.5%. The seasonality and preponderance of the infection in young and female pigs are useful epidemiological findings which could be exploited for development of an effective control strategy against the parasitic infections. An overhaul of parasitic disease control measures in piggeries in Enugu State is imperative for greater productivity and profitability in swine production, and to boost availability of safe and wholesome pork for human consumption. © 2021, Indian Society for Parasitology.