Asian Journal of Biology

Synantropic flies are those flies associated ecologically with human and have been linked with the transmission of bacteria, viruses, fungi, soil-transmitted helminthes (STH) and some protozoa. A survey of synanthropic flies was carried out in Anambra State using constructed fly trap boxes. Standard parasitological techniques were employed to detect parasitic organisms on the caught flies. A total of 4566 synanthropic flies were caught from six different communities in Anambra State during the study. The caught flies were: Musca domestica1975 (43.3%), Calliphoravicina640 (14.0%), Chrysomyamegacephala1051 (23.0%) Sarcophaga sp. 225 (4.9%), Drosophila sp. 384 (8.4%) and Muscinastabulans 291 (6.3%). The highest number of flies was caught from abattoir 1804 (39.5%) followed by market 1621 (35.5%), while the least was from residential area 1141 (25.0%). A total of 535 parasites made up of five intestinal helminthes and two protozoa parasites were isolated from the flies during the study. The helminths parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides 146 (27.3%), Trichuris trichiura32 (6.0%) Hookworm 45 (8.4%) and Enterobius vermicularis 50 (9.3%) and the protozoan parasites were Entamoeba. histolytica 128 (23.9%) and Giardia lamblia 54 (10.1%). A. lumbricoides eggs 146 (27.3%) was the most prevalent parasites isolated. Parasite burdens in external surface of the flies 328 (61.3%) was significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) than in the gut 207 (38.7%). This study highlights the importance of implementing effective control measures, including community health education and proper environmental sanitation, that actively engage the entire community.