Authors : Musa Usman and Qasim Abdul Matin Mubo
Abstract: Rats constitute a major threat to poultry production in Nigeria. They act as reservoir of pathogens such as Salmonella sp. in poultry, Yersinia sp. and Lassa virus in humans and the few zoonotic Hymenolepis sp. in human. Coprological examination of rats feces confirmed the existence of pathogens of human and veterinary importance in black rats (Rattus rattus) extensively living in the poultry farm. A prevalence of 5.7% of Hymenolepis diminuta eggs and 4.3% Ornithonyssus sp. eggs from seventy rats were discovered. Coprological study of chickens in the pen was negative to the pathogens confirmed non transmissible hymenolepiasis in chicken. Education of the farm workers on improved hygienic practices in the pens and zoonotic importance of the pathogens is implied. Rodent control must be strategically implemented.
Musa Usman and Qasim Abdul Matin Mubo, 2013. Zoonotic Hymenolepis diminuta and Ornithonyssus sp. in Rats Cohabiting Chickens in Poultry Farm, Jos, Nigeria. Research Journal of Poultry Sciences, 6: 29-32.