PREVALANCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF TURKEYS IN WET MARKETS OF DHAKA CITY

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematodes constitute a major impediment to efficient poultry production, including turkeys and leading to substantial economic losses. Here, we studied the helminths of turkey from different market areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The gastrointestinal helminths were investigated from a total 50 turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). The samples were collected from Gonobissobiddaloi (30), Mohammadpur Town Hall Kacha Bazar (15) and Agargoan Bazar (5). The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 74%. The nematodes detected in turkeys were Heterakis gallinarum (62%) and Capillaria philippinensis (74%). Of the two helminth species, C. philippinensis is reported to have zoonotic potentialities. The farmers have been rearing the turkeys very close to the human habitat. Therefore, turkey farmers, meat sellers and consumers are at risk of being infected with C. philippinensis. To the best of our knowledge, the study on helminths in turkey is going to be reported for the first time in Bangladesh. Therefore, further proper attention should be paid for more comprehensive investigation with large samples to discover zoonotic helminth in Bangladesh.