Parasitological Assessment of a Drinking Water Source in Umuahia, Southeast Nigeria
Publication Date: 04/12/2018
Author(s): Anyanwu Emeka D., Lawrence Queen Ozioma, Onyele Onyinyechi G..
Volume/Issue: Volume 1 , Issue 1 (2018)
Abstract:
Water is one of the essential natural resources and a major source of harmful infections including parasites when poorly managed. A parasitological assessment of a drinking water source in relation to water quality was carried out in Umuahia, Southeast Nigeria. The study was carried out between January and June 2018 in four stations. Physicochemical parameters of the water’s samples were determined using standard methods while water samples for parasitological assessment were filtered and examined for parasitic load using standard methods. Five (5) parasite species of human health importance were recorded; Trichuris trichuria was the most prevalent (33.3%), followed by Onchocerca volvulus (16.7%), Giardia lamblia (12.5%), Teania species (8.3%) and Entamoeba histolytica (4.2%) as the least. The study showed that Station 2 which is close to the effluent discharge point and station 4 (raw effluent) recorded the highest parasitic loads (8 and 4 respectively) while stations 1 and 3 recorded the least (3 respectively). The parasitic loads recorded in this study were determined by organic pollution and other anthropogenic activities in the river. The parasites recorded are a source of concern since they are of human medical concern with high prevalence. Consequently, drinking water sources need to be protected to prevent parasitic contamination.
