Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Duck in Four Wards of Harpur Vdc, Parsa, Nepal

Abstract

Domestic mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) are reared in rural area for eggs and meat which also reduces poverty by fulfilling the demand of cash. The present study was conducted to determine the general prevalence, identification, compare area-wise, sex wise, intensity wise as well as infection-wise prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic ducks belonging to the genus Anas sp., Cairina sp. and their cross breeds in four wards of Harpur VDC of Parsa district i.e. ward no.6 (Ektanga), ward no.7 (Teliya), ward no.8 (Baderwa) and ward no.9 (Ramauli). A total of 200 faecal samples were collected from October to November, 2016 A.D and examined by saline wet mount, floatation and sedimentation technique. Out of 200 faecal samples examined, an overall prevalence of 73.5% were found positive for parasitic infection. Total of eight GI parasites were found that include 6 genera of nematodes: Ascaridia sp. 60 (30%), Capillaria sp. 40 (20%), Heterakis sp. 36 (18%), Syngamus sp. 21 (10.5%), Amidostomum sp. 6 (3%) and Oxyspirura sp. 4 (2%) whereas 2 genera of trematodes: Echinostoma sp. 46 (23%) and Prosthogonimus sp. 19 (9%) for the first time in Parsa district. The prevalence rate of nematode parasites (83.5%) were higher than trematode parasites (32%). The higher prevalence of GI parasites was in ward no.8 (82%) and the lowest was in ward no.6 (64%). Statistically, the difference in prevalence of GI parasitic infection among study area was found to be insignificant (χ²=1.3549, P>0.05). Similarly, the prevalence rate of GI parasites in female (73.68%) was higher than male (73.33%) but the prevalence of GI parasites regarding gender was insignificant (χ²=1.5018, P>0.05). Whereas significant difference in prevalence of intensity of parasite was observed between light intensity (53.5%), moderate intensity (49.5%) and heavy intensity (12.5%) (χ²=21.517, P<0.05). This study provides baseline data on prevalence and species distribution of helminths of domestic ducks in different wards of Harpur VDC.