Assessment of Parasitic Contamination to the Environment in Mosul City / Iraq

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the parasitic contamination of farm animals to the environment and their vicinities of eleven various local quarters of Mosul city. Eggs and oocysts helminthes and protozoa were detected in 660 samples of soil, drinking water and feed by obtaining 20 samples of each item from15 November, 2010 to 15 February, 2011. Fifty to hundred grams of each of soil and feed (of both types i.e. green and dry) and 50-100 ml of drinking water were taken from farm animal environment and nearby places for parasitological examinations. Routine parasitological examination was used for detection ova and oocysts which were later identified according to standard reference. The results indicated that the overall percentage of contamination rates of soil; feed and water were 99.5%; 11.36%; and 22.72%, respectively. The findings of the study referred the importance of environmental assessment of the animal houses in spreading of parasitosis. However, more care and attention should be paid to animal and their dwellings for better animal welfare and production which ultimately will lessen chances of infection.