ANALYSIS OF SLAUGHTER HOUSE WASTE WATER FOR PARASITIC CYSTS AND HELMINTH EGG

ABSTRACT Slaughterhouses generate large volumes of wastewater laden with organic matter, blood, feces, and other animal waste that can serve as vehicles for the transmission of zoonotic parasites. In developing countries such as Nigeria, where most abattoirs lack effective treatment facilities, improper disposal of slaughterhouse effluents poses significant public health and environmental risks. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and diversity of parasitic cysts and helminth eggs in slaughterhouse wastewater within Ogun State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were collected from different discharge points of selected abattoirs and analyzed using standard parasitological techniques, including sedimentation and flotation methods. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of several protozoan cysts, including Entamoeba histolytica (4), Blastocystis hominis (1), Cyclospora cayetanensis (1), Giardia lamblia (2), Hookworm eggs or larvae such as Hookworm (6), Trichostrongylus spp. (1), Ascaris spp. (2), Trichuris spp. (1), Strongyloides stercoralis (2), and Taenia spp. (1). The occurrence of these organisms was highest in the initial wastewater channels, indicating heavy fecal contamination, while the persistence of some in final discharge points reflects inadequate natural removal and absence of treatment systems. The findings highlight the potential of slaughterhouse effluents as reservoirs of parasitic pathogens capable of contaminating soil and water sources, thereby increasing the risk of parasitic infections among nearby communities. Effective waste management, regular monitoring, and enforcement of environmental health regulations are therefore essential to prevent disease transmission and safeguard public health.