PREVALENCE AND FACTORS INFLUENCING GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG CATTLE IN THE DISTRICT OF BATTICALOA , SRILANKA

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections pose a significant challenge in cattle management, with varying effects influenced by age, gender, weather conditions, and infection severity. Despite the lack of published studies, this research aimed to assess the prevalence of Gl parasites among cattle in the Batticaloa District' A total of 87 cattle were randomly selected from four areas; Chenkaladi, Karadiyanaru, Eravur' and Valachchenai from August to December 2023. Freshly voided fecal samples were collected, revealing that89.65o/o(n:78) of the sampled cattle were positive for eggs of one or more Gl parasite species. The study identified a spectrum of Gl parasites' including Fasciola spp., Paramphistomum spp., TQxocara spp'' Capillaria spp'' Taenia spp., Nematodirus spp. and Strongyle type. Analysis by gender showed a higher prevalence in females (91.48Vo,n:43)compared to males (87.50oh'n:35), while calves exhibitedthehighestinfection rate(95.24o/o,n:20)'seasonalvariationswereobserved' with a ll}ohprevalence during the wet season (n:46) compared to 78'05oh during the dry season (n:32). Geographically, Chenkaladi recorded the highest infection rate at 92Vo, followed by Karadiyanaru at 9l .3Vo, Yalachchenai at 90Yo, and Eravur at 84o/o' Recommendations fbr effective parasite management include regular mass deworming' frequent diagnostic assessments, and farmer training on infection control and prevention. Furthermore, future investigations should explore the economic impact of GI parasites in the study areas and their potential transmission to the human population' This study underscores the need for comprehensive veterinary services to enhance cattle farming practices and mitigate the impact of GI parasitic infections.