Professional Assessment of Zoonotic Helminth Control Practices in Cattle Ranches in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria

Intensively managed cattle ranches present unique contexts for the transmission and control of zoonotic helminths including Taenia saginata, Fasciola species, and Toxocara species, with veterinary management practices directly determining the public health risk profile of beef products. This study assesses zoonotic helminth control practices in commercial and semi-commercial cattle ranches in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional professional survey was conducted across 20 cattle ranches in Lafia, Doma, and Keana Local Government Areas. Ranch managers and resident veterinary officers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire covering anthelmintic treatment protocols, deworming frequency and drug rotation, pasture management, water source quality, and abattoir inspection feedback integration. Faecal egg count monitoring records were reviewed, and a sample of fresh cattle faeces was examined by the McMaster technique. Recent reviews from 2020 to 2024 document the widespread non-rotation of anthelmintic drug classes in Nigerian ranch systems, contributing to emerging benzimidazole resistance and inadequate Fasciola control. This study identifies practice gaps and their determinants, producing a zoonotic risk stratification matrix for ranch classifications. Recommendations will be submitted to the Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture and relevant professional bodies including the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association. Keywords: zoonotic helminths, cattle ranches, anthelmintic practices, Nasarawa State, veterinary management.