Volume 14, Issue 2: 2024 - Article 164

Abstract
Porcine cysticercosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease of economic and public health importance. This study evaluated the occurrence of cysticercosis in pigs slaughtered in Wukari town, Taraba State Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used, and the sample size was 390, made up of 109 females and 281 males. Post-mortem examination of the carcasses were carried out by visual examination, systematic palpation and cutting into organs. Results showed that 9 out of the 390 pigs sampled (2.3%) had cysticercosis. Out of the 281 male pig carcasses examined, 7 (2.5%) had cysticercus cysts while 2 (1.8%) out of the 109 females had the cysts. Prevalence was higher in male pigs, though sex was not significantly (p > 0.05) associated with the prevalence. Out of the total pigs examined, 241 were between 6 – 12 months of age, out of which 3 (1.3%) were infected with cysticerci. Six out of the 149 pigs that were > 12 months of age (4.03%) had cysticerci. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence was observed in older pigs (> 12 months). The cysts detected were found in the shoulder muscle, masseter, thigh muscle, heart and tongue, and were immature and viable except one. It was concluded that the occurrence of cysticercosis in pigs in the study area was 2.3%. It was recommended that open-field defecation should be avoided, intensive management of pigs should be adopted, and that veterinary care and effective meat inspection and public awareness campaign on the risk of consumption of raw or undercooked pork be undertaken.

Keywords: Cysticercosis; Occurrence; Taenia solium; Pigs; Cysts; Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.

How to cite this article:
Nyifi AS, Uko IB, Obialigwe TF, Joshua K, Felix P, Bilbonga G, Mamtso RJ, Lamalang EB
(2024). Occurrence of cysticercosis in pigs slaughtered at three abattoirs in Wukari town,
Taraba State, Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(2): 779 – 789.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     ambisilas462@gmail.com      Phone: +2348138244909

Occurrence of cysticercosis in pigs slaughtered at three abattoirs in Wukari town, Taraba State, Nigeria

Ambi S. Nyifi ¹ *, Iranyang B. Uko ¹, Tochukwu F. Obialigwe ¹, Kefas Joshua ¹, Philimon Felix ¹, Garleya Bilbonga ¹, Rimamfate J. Mamtso ², Emmanuel B. Lamalang ^1
1 Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
² Department of Animal Health Technology, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Jalingo Taraba State, Nigeria.

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