Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Helminths Infection in Buffalo of New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, India

Aims: Epidemiology of naturally occurring gastrointestinal (GI) helminths was studied in buffalo of New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal and the role of different factors such as season, age, sex and rearing practices on prevalence was also recorded in the present study.

Methodology: Monthly 120 faecal samples of buffaloes of New Alluvial Zone (NAZ) were collected and examined by standard parasitological techniques from April, 2016 to March, 2017.

Results: The overall prevalence of GI helminths was recorded as 46.53% in buffalo of NAZ in West Bengal. Paramphistome (35.9%) was observed as the predominant parasite followed by Strongyle (9.93%), Fasciola (4.17%) and Toxocara (4.03%). Monsoon (54.58%) was found to be the most favourable season followed by winter (44.79%) and summer (40.21%) for GI helminths infection in buffalo. The overall prevalence (52.57%) as well as prevalence of Strongyle and Toxocara was higher in young buffaloes than the adult buffaloes (44.47%). The overall prevalence of GI helminths was higher in female buffalo (48.85%) than the male (40.74%) and the prevalence of individual parasites did not vary greatly between the two sexes of animals. Semi-intensive system (54.46%) of rearing showed higher prevalence of GI helminths than the intensive method (39.07%). Prevalence of Strongyle, Fasciola and Paramphistome was comparatively higher in animals maintaining under semi-intensive system than the intensive system of rearing.

Conclusion: The results of the present study might be utilized for planning control programme against GI helminths in buffaloes of NAZ of West Bengal.