Gastrointestinal helminths of camels (Camelus dromedarius) in northern Kenya.

Abstract

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was investigated by the examination of 255 faecal samples from different age groups and sexes of camels maintained in a communal grazing environment in northern Kenya between November 1992 and March 1993. In addition, 73 fresh faecal samples from anaemic camels and those with an eggs per gram (epg) count of >1000 were cultured for larval identification. The results showed that peak worm infestations occurred during and soon after the onset of rains. Female camels had significantly higher egg counts than males. Immature bulls had lower egg counts than calves which had lower egg counts than adults. More than 80% of the parasites identified were nematodes, of which Haemonchus was most frequent, followed by Trichostrongylus; relatively few of the camels were infected with Cooperia, Bunostomum, Oesophagostomum, Strongyloides and Ostertagia. The most frequent cestode was Moniezia. Eggs of Fasciola were identified in a few of the camels; this is the first report of fascioliasis in camels in Kenya.