Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Goats Slaughtered at Abattoirs in Yenagoa Metropolis and Sagbama Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites constitute a major constraint to livestock production and pose significant public health concerns due to their potential zoonotic transmission. This study investigated the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in goats slaughtered at abattoirs in Yenagoa Metropolis and Sagbama Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. One hundred faecal samples (50 from each location) were collected from slaughtered animals and examined for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites using zinc sulphate flotation technique. The results revealed an overall prevalence of a 24% gastrointestinal parasitic infection among the goats examined. A higher prevalence was recorded in Yenagoa abattoirs, where 16 (32%) goats were infected, compared to Sagbama abattoirs, which recorded 8 (16%) infected goats. Based on sex, male animals showed a higher prevalence of infection (26.5%), while female animals accounted for an 18.8% prevalence. Three parasite species were identified during the study. Fasciola spp. was the most prevalent parasite, accounting for 50% of all infections, followed by Giardia lamblia (33.3%), while Entamoeba histolytica had the lowest occurrence (16.7%). The findings indicate the presence of gastrointestinal parasites among animals slaughtered in the study areas, with Fasciola spp. being the predominant parasite. Although prevalence was numerically higher in Yenagoa and among male goats, neither difference was statistically significant (p > .05); therefore, these patterns should not be attributed to management or exposure without supporting data. Regular veterinary inspection, improved sanitation, and effective parasite control measures are recommended to reduce the burden of gastrointestinal parasites and minimize potential public health risks associated with the consumption of infected animal products.