Diversity, Abundance and Distribution of Parasites of Medical Importance in Surface Water: A Case Study of Adada River, Enugu State, Nigeria

Adada River, an all-the-year-round sparkling-clear river, and a very useful surface water was evaluated for parasites of medical importance, their diversity, abundance and distribution as a qualitative microbial risk-assessment (QMRA) factor. Parasites were enumerated by Stoll’s Counting Method and identified by the morphological characteristics of their potentials. 14 genera of parasites were detected in the dry season, and 13 detected in the rainy season. Ten of these were potential human pathogens (Taenia spp, Entamoeba histolytica, Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia, lamblia, Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Enterobius vermicularis). Lowest average parasite per milliliter in the stations was 7.0x10, and highest was 2.2x10/ml. The most frequently encountered parasites were potential human pathogens (Taenia spp, G. lamblia, E. histolytica, hookworm and S. mansoni).Variation in the parasites’ genera between the two seasons was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Adada River is not potable and suitable for recreation, grazing and agriculture. All-the-year-round sparkling-clear surface water, such as this, may be a health deceit. In QMRA, parasites of medical importance should be a paradigm; likewise, in environmental microbiology, geographical coordinates of sample sites rather than physical landmarks, should be a paradigm, for better follow-ups.