Effects of water source on parasite load

Abstract

Abstract by author:

The study was done to identify water related parasites and to compare different sources of water in relation to parasite load in Outjo farming district during the period of June to September. Surface water (Fountains) and underground water (boreholes) were the two sources of water compared in the study. Four water related parasites; Cysticercus bovis, Eimera spp. (E. bovis and E. zuerni), Trichuris ovis and Haemonchus contortus, which are found in Namibia were studied. Flotation method (worm egg count) was used to examine the faeeal specimens and only Eimera spp. (E. bovis and E. zuerni), Trichuris ovis, Haemon&kttp dontortus and Strongyles (all other nematodes) were identified. The results obtained after the statistical analysis was done by performing the chi-square test (GLM) using the FREQ. PROC. of SAS (SAS. 2002) shows that the distribution of parasites is significant (P. 0001) of the water source. Out of the total parasite load in both sources, 68 percent of the parasite load was in surface water and 32 percent of the parasite load in underground water. These results confirm that the parasite load is higher in cattle drinking surface water than cattle drinking from underground water