Parasitic Contamination of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Sold in Port Harcourt Metropolis Markets, Rivers State, Nigeria

Parasitic contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in selected markets in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. was investigated. Oil mill and Creek Road were the two major markets in Port Harcourt metropolis area selected for this study. A total of 216 samples of different types of fruits and vegetables were randomly sampled for parasitological examination using normal saline and zinc sulphate floatation techniques. The results showed that out of the 216 samples of vegetables and fruits examined, 87 (40.3%) were infected. The results were statistically significant (P< 0.05). The parasites identified included Entamoeba coli; Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancyclostoma spp and Fasciola spp. Entamoeba coli was the most prevalent parasite (83.15%) while Ascaris lumbricodes (1.12%), Ancyclostoma spp (1.12%) and Fasciola spp (1.12%) had least prevalence. There was statistical no difference (P>0.05) in prevalence of parasites genus in the two markets. Tomatoes had the highest contamination rate of (10.6%) followed by waterleaf, bitter leaf, green leaf, pumpkin leaf, pear, orange, and scent leaf with the prevalence rate of 9.3%, 8.8%, 4.6%, 3.2%, 1.9%, 1.4% and 0.5% respectively. Produce contaminated with intestinal parasites poses a serious health challenge to the consumers if they are not properly washed before consumption. Personal hygiene and proper washing of fresh fruit and vegetable before consumption will reduce the prevalence of food-borne parasitic infections.