The Prevalence of Bovine and Ovine Fasciolosis and the Associated Economic Loss Due to Liver Condemnation in and around Debire Birhan, Ethiopia

Abstract

CA cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2013 up to March 2014 to assess the prevalence, risk factors and direct economic loss of bovine and ovine fasciolosis in and around Debire Birhan, a town of North shoa Amhara Regional state. In the present study coprology, postmortem examination, questionnaire survey and an abattoir retrospective data were retrieved and analyzed. Seven Kebeles were purposively selected for coprological examination by considering the number of cattle and sheep population of the area and proximity to parasitological laboratories. Coprological examination of fecal samples randomly collected from 300 cattle and 280 sheep revealed an overall prevalence of 62.3% in cattle and 60.7% in sheep whereas 450 (300 cattle and 150 sheep) animals were randomly selected from Debire Birhan Municipal Abattoir for post mortem examination and revealed a total prevalence of 58.6% and 56.0% in cattle and sheep, respectively. This study shows that risk factors such as locality, species and age didn’t show significant effect on the prevalence of infections in both cattle and sheep (P>0.05). However, season, sex, and body condition revealed significant difference (P< 0.05) as higher degree of infections were detected in Autumn, female and in poor body conditioned, respectively. Species identification revealed that F. hepatica was highly abundant (43.8%) as compared to Fasciola gigantica (10.2%) in cattle. Likewise sheep livers also harbored F. hepatica (44.0%) and F.gigantica (15.5%). Certain proportion of mixed and unidentified immature fluke infection also common in both species. The economic loss incurred due to condemned liver as a result of bovine and ovine fasciolosis was estimated to be 59,387ETB (2969USD) per annum. In conclusion, fasciolosis was proved to be widely distributed disease with higher prevalence and great impact on the economy. Therefore integrated vector and parasite control approaches should be involved so as to reduce the snail burn and infection rate. Key words: Abattoir, Bovine, Ovine, Coprology, Economic significance, Fasciolosis, Prevalence. Debire Birhan.