EFFECTS OF SOME PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS ON PREVALENCE OF INTERMEDIATE HOST OF ANIMAL TREMATODES IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The effect of physicochemical parameters on the prevalence, distribution and vector aspects of snail borne diseases was conducted in Bauchi State, from January to December, 2016. Nine (9) of the twenty (20) Local Governments Areas, three (3) from each senatorial zone and two (2) water bodies in each selected Local Government Area were randomly selected for the study. Standard keys were used to identify the snail vectors. Three physicochemical parameters of the water were measured temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. Temperature and pH were measured using Hanna instrument temperature tester-H198311 and pH tester-H198107 respectively while dissolved oxygen of the water was measured using Winkler method in the laboratory. One thousand six hundred and five (1605) snails were collected and identified which include 1581 Bulinus globosus and 24 Biomphalaria pfeifferi.  Out of this, only 59(3.7 %) of the Bulinus globosus shed cercariae in the water with low temperature and pH value and high dissolved oxygen. The snail abundant varied significantly. Therefore effective snails control programme as well as public awareness on the role of snails in transmitting animal trematode in the area is recommended.