Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis and Associated Economic Loss in Cattle Slaughtered At Kombolcha Industrial Abbatior

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2013 up to March 2014 to determine the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and associated economic loss in cattle slaughtered at Kombolcha industrial Abattoir. In this study, a total of 409 cattle from the abattoir were randomly selected and coprologically examined by sedimentation techniques and postmortem examination for fluke identification and count. Abattoir retrospective data were retrieved and analyzed. The overall prevalence of bovine fasciolosis on coprology and postmortem study was 25.4% and 35% respectively. Based on post mortem findings, the highest percentage (18.8%) was due to Fasciola hepatica. Similarly, Fasciola gigantica (6.8 %), immature fluke (3.9 %) and mixed infections (5.4 %) were also noted in the study areas. Comparisons were also made among examined animals based on their age, sex, origin, and body condition score. The result showed that there was statistically significant difference in prevalence among animals of different origin (p=0.000). However, the difference in prevalence between animals of different age, sex, and body conditions was not statistically significant (p>0.05). A direct economic loss identified in cattle due to liver condemnation by fasciolosis at Kombolcha industrial abattoir was estimated 72,360 Ethiopian birr Per annum. Bovine fasciolosis was a prevalent parasitic disease and cause a considerable economic loss in the study area. Therefore, careful ecological studies should be applied to control snails which have been the major facet of fluke control.