Epidemiology of Helminths in Cattle of Kirinyaga County, Kenya

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of animals harbor a variety of parasites particularly helminths, which causes clinical and sub-clinical parasitism. These parasites adversely affect the health status of animals and cause enormous economic losses to the livestock industry. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of helminths in cattle of Kirinyaga County. Epidemiological data was collected using a questionnaire survey administered to 244 respondents while rectal faecal samples from 261 cattle were collected within a period of four months to determine helminths egg counts. Sampling of herbage was carried out from 6 communal grazing sites for analysis of infective nematode larvae levels in the pasture. The cattle were weighed and blood collected by jugular venipuncture to determine the Total Protein (TP). The prevalence of GIN in the study area were species of Haemonchus (59%), Trichostrongylus (26%), Nematodirus (5%) and Oesophagostomum (10%). The most prevalent infective nematode larvae species in herbage was Haemonchus (55%) followed by species of Trichostrongylus (23.8%) and Oesophagostomum (13.4%). Trematodes species of Fasciola, Shistosoma and Paramphistomum were seen to be common in zebu cattle with Schistosoma showing the highest prevalence of 19%. The Total Protein (TP) on 60% of the sampled cattle were within the normal range of between 6 and 8%. However, 5% of the animals had low level of TP. The study shows the epidemiological profile of cattle helminth infections and the results form the basis for recommending the control strategies of helminths in this area.