Termites as Intermediate Hosts for Poultry Worms

This study was undertaken to determine whether termites fed to local poultry were carriers of common poultry helminths and, which species of worms. Termites were trapped from a site divided into three zones based on contours to determine the incidence of helminths in the termites. In phase I, termites were trapped using a mixture of dry mango seeds, cow dung and sorghum stalks as bait. In phase II, no bait was used. Equal numbers of termite samples were collected into labeled petri dishes from each zone in each phase. In all, 300 samples were examined from the site in both phases (120 in phase I and 180 in phase II). The top and mid zones were predominated by Schedorhinoterme termites while the bottom zone was predominated by Macrotermites. Laboratory analysis for worms was done using the direct or wet preparation method. Worm, worm larvae, and worm egg charts were used to help identify worms. Eleven different worm species were identified (Including Raillietina cesticillus, Raillietina ehinobrothrida, Prosthogonimus spp, Amaebotaenia sphenoides, Choanotaenia infundibulum, Dacaenia proglottina, Heterakis galliae and Ascaridia galli which are of endo parasitic importance to poultry). Organisms of ecto parasitic importance to poultry including fleas, Schistosoma haematobium, Sarcocystis and psoroptes mites were also identified. The most preferred termites by farmers for poultry feeding are workers of schedorhinotermes because they are physically safe for fowls to eat. Unfortunately, they were more infested with worms. Farmers should deworm their poultry as a routine if they feed them with termites.