Prevalence of Schistosoma nasale infection in bovines from eastern Vidharbha (Maharashtra) vis-à-vis infection in Indoplanorbis exustus

Prevalence of Schistosoma nasale infections in bovines (Bos indicus) and snails (Indoplanorbis exustus) was assessed from eastern Vidharbha. A total of 710 animals with their nasal washings were examined from three districts of eastern Maharashtra throughout the year for the presence of S. nasale. Out of these, 126 (17.74%) were found positive for S. nasale infection. Overall prevalence of S. nasale in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Bhandara district was 18.34, 17.46 and 17.49%, respectively. The prevalence was more in winter season and in animals aged more than 6 years. A total of 2939 snails (I. exustus) were also screened in three districts of eastern Maharashtra throughout the year. Occurrence of S. nasale cercariae was highest (10.27 to 15.70%) in the months of September, October and November and low (6.60%) in the month of April (6.60%) and December (6.11%). The district wise occurrence of S. nasale cercariae in the I. exustus snail was 9.68, 9.17 and 10.59 per cent in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Bhandara district, respectively.