SHORT REVIEW ON THE ZOONOTIC IMPLICATIONS OF DETECTED GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN POULTRY LAYER AND PIGS IN SELECTED FARMS IN CEBU AND LEYTE, PHILIPPINES

Farm animals can harbor gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites which are potentially zoonotic. Exposure to these animals is a public health concern because zoonotic diseases can bring health and socio-economic impacts. This study identified the zoonotic implications of detected GIT parasites from poultry layer and pig stool samples based on its characteristics and mode of transmission to humans. Detected GIT parasites from stool samples from eight poultry layer farms in Leyte, Philippines (Ascaridia spp., Heterakis spp., Capillaria spp., Eimeria spp. and Strongyloides spp.) and from seven swine farms in Cebu, Philippines (Balantidium coli, Strongyloides spp., Ascaris spp., Isospora spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Hyostrongylus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Taenia spp., Metastrongylus spp., and Trichuris spp.) were all found to have zoonotic implications. These findings imply an emerging public health threat and calls for the implementation of the proper anti-GIT parasitic program in different farms and heightened awareness among the livestock raisers and consuming public. Promotion of proper hygiene and increased awareness about GIT parasites by the public must be encouraged.