Prevalence of Subclinical Toxoplasmosis in Sheep at Selected Abattoirs in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria

Sheep are recognised as important definitive and intermediate hosts in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii, with their tissue cysts constituting a primary source of human infection through consumption of undercooked mutton. This study determines the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies in sheep slaughtered at abattoirs in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional abattoir-based survey was conducted at three major abattoirs in Sokoto, Illela, and Tambuwal Local Government Areas over four months. Blood samples were collected at the point of slaughter from 280 sheep, and sera were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using the modified agglutination test. Ante-mortem data including breed, sex, age, and source of animal were recorded. Meat handlers were also interviewed on meat preparation habits and personal consumption of raw or undercooked mutton. Current literature from 2020 to 2024 reports T. gondii seroprevalence rates in Nigerian sheep ranging from 20 to 60 percent, with implications for both animal productivity and consumer food safety. This study aims to generate abattoir-level seroprevalence data and assess the public health risk associated with mutton consumption in Sokoto State. Findings will be submitted to the Sokoto State Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries for integration into food safety surveillance programmes. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, subclinical toxoplasmosis, sheep, abattoir, Sokoto State.