Taenia Solium Cysticercosis in Pigs Slaughtered in IBI Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae among carcasses of pigs slaughtered in Ibi using thorough and systematic pork inspection. A total of 4380 pig carcasses were inspected with 274 positives given an overall prevalence of 6.25%. Carcasses from females and males represented 3.72% (163/4380) and 2.54% (111/4380) of the overall prevalence respectively. This was statistically significant (P<0.05). The yearly infection rates observed were 1.35% (59/4380), 1.87% (82/4380) and 3.04% (133/4380) for 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. This was also statistically significant (P<0.05). Infection rates in relation to management practices were 1.51% (66/4380), 2.63% (115/4380) and 2.12% (93/4380) for intensive, semiintensive and extensive practices respectively. This was statically significant (P<0.05). Indigenous and exotic breeds recorded infection rates of 5.32% (233/4380) and 0.94% (41/4380) respectively which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Monthly distribution of porcine cysticercosis was higher in September with an infection rate of 0.84% (37/4380). This was followed by 0.82% (36/4380) in July with the lowest infection rate of 0.21% (9/4380) in April. This was statistically significant (P<0.05). This study revealed the presence of Cysticercus cellulosae in pigs slaughtered for human consumption in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria posing public health risk in the study area.