Prevalence of Taenia Saginata in Cattle Slaughtered at Tudun Wada Abattoir Kaduna Nigeria

An investigation was carried out between March and June 2009 to determine the prevalence of Taenia Saginata among different breeds of cows slaughtered at Tudun Wada Abattoir, Kaduna. Two hundred (200) specimens of the different breeds of cattle feces were screened for T. Saginata eggs. Wet mount and centrifugal sedimentation techniques were used for the analysis. The white Fulani cattle breed showed highest rate of infection by Taenia (27.5%) followed by Gudali cattle (20% ) and Adamawa cattle ( 20%). Red bororo had the least infection of 7.5% and the Sokoto breed had no infection. The health implication of consumption of meat contaminated by T. Saginata is discussed and useful recommendations proffered. Keywords: Taenia Saginata, prevalence, cattles, Tudun Wada Abattoir Nigerian Journal of Parasitology , Vol. 32 [1] March 2011, pp. 41-43