Musca domestica as a carrier of intestinal helminths in Calabar, Nigeria

A study was undertaken to examine the role of Musca domestica as a carrier of intestinal helminths in Calabar, Nigeria. A total of 5000 house-flies were collected from markets and residential areas and examined for helminthic parasites using centrifugation, dissection and direct smear methods. Four helminths were observed with the following frequency of infection on their external surfaces and gastrointestinal tracts respectively: Ascaris lumbricoides ova (0.20% and 0.81%), Strongyloides stercoralis ova/larvae (0.40% and 1.80%), Ancylostoma caninum ova/larvae (2.60% and 6.20%), Toxocara canis ova (2.40% and 2.11%). The public health significance of these findings are highlighted.