Open Access
Research (Published online: 20-09-2022)
17. Pigs' management practices and exposure to Trichinella spp. in pigs and warthogs in the northern area of Senegal
Kacou Martial N'da, Oubri Bassa Gbati, Laibané Dieudonné Dahourou, N'guessan Ezéchiel Schadrac Behou, Amadou Traore, and Joseph Kungu
Veterinary World, 15(9): 2253-2258

Kacou Martial N'da: Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory, Public Health - Environment Department, Inter-State School of Veterinary Science and Medicine - EISMV, Dakar, Senegal.
Oubri Bassa Gbati: Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory, Public Health - Environment Department, Inter-State School of Veterinary Science and Medicine - EISMV, Dakar, Senegal.
Laibané Dieudonné Dahourou: Department of Livestock Breeding, Rural Development and Environmental Sciences Institute (ISEDR), University of Dedougou, Dedougou, Burkina Faso; Laboratory of Animal Health and Biology, Department of Animal Productions, Environment and Agricultural Research Institute (INERA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
N'guessan Ezéchiel Schadrac Behou: Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory, Public Health - Environment Department, Inter-State School of Veterinary Science and Medicine - EISMV, Dakar, Senegal.
Amadou Traore: Laboratory of Animal Health and Biology, Department of Animal Productions, Environment and Agricultural Research Institute (INERA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Joseph Kungu: Department of Biosecurity Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.2253-2258

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Article history: Received: 03-05-2022, Accepted: 17-08-2022, Published online: 20-09-2022

Corresponding author: Kacou Martial N'da

E-mail: ndakacoumartial@gmail.com

Citation: N'da KM, Gbati OB, Dahourou LD, Behou NES, Traore A, and Kungu J (2022) Pigs' management practices and exposure to Trichinella spp. in pigs and warthogs in the northern area of Senegal, Veterinary World, 15(9): 2253–2258.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Trichinellosis is a neglected and emerging foodborne zoonosis in Africa. Trichinella infection occurs through the consumption of raw or undercooked infected meat and meat products. This study aimed to assess pigs' management practices and determine the exposure of pigs and warthogs to Trichinella spp. in the northern area of Senegal.

Materials and Methods: Surveys and observations were carried out among 40 pig farmers to assess husbandry practices regarding Trichinella spp. life cycle. In addition, 201 pig meat juices and 83 warthog meat juices were extracted and tested for anti-Trichinella antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Most (97%) of farms practiced a traditional farming system with free-ranging of pigs in 85% of farms. Farms had local pig breed without housing and supplementary feeding. Some farmers (27.5%) used slaughter waste to feed pigs and farmers were not aware that free-range farming is a source of infection to Trichinella infection. They were also unaware that some pig diseases could be transmitted to humans. The seroprevalence of Trichinella infection was 10.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.6–15.2%) in pigs and 10.8% (95% CI: 4.16–17.52%) in warthogs with significantly higher seroprevalence in male (22.2%: 95% CI: 6.6–37.8%) compared to female (9.2%; 95% CI: 4.9–13.5%) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The confirmation of exposure to Trichinella spp. in this area in pigs and warthogs shows a significant risk of transmission of this disease to humans if the farming conditions and the health surveillance system are not respected. However, control measures are needed to reduce any risk of transmission of Trichinella infection to humans.

Keywords: epidemiological studies, pig management, Senegal, Trichinella infection, warthog.