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Prevalence of fasciolosis and its economic impact in Bedele,Ethiopia

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Haryana Vet. (June, 2015) 54 (1), 7-10 Research Article
PREVALENCE OF BOVINE FASCIOLOSIS AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT
IN BEDELE, ETHIOPIA
YITAGEZU ABERA1, TEFERA WOLDEMARIAUM1 and MAHENDRA PAL2*
1
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, Ethiopia
2
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture
Addis Ababa University, P. B. No. 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
Received: 02.02.2015; Accepted: 17.04.2015
ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2011 to March 2012 on bovine fasciolosis in a Municipal Abattoir, Bedele,
Ethiopia to assess its prevalence and economic impact. Out of 455 cattle examined, 148 (32.53%) were positive for fasciolosis at postmortem,
whereas coprological examination revealed the presence of Fasciola in 140 (30.77%) cases. Among these, Fasciola hepatica showed a prevalence
of 20.66% followed by F. gigantica (7.47%) and the mixed infection of both the species (4.4%). Findings concerning body condition score revealed
that the infestation rate in medium body condition animals was 37.5% followed by that in poor body condition (34.1%) and good body condition
(15.66%) animals. Based on the retail value of condemned bovine liver, total annual economic losses from fasciolosis during this period was
estimated to be 228,360.6 ETB per annum (equal to 13,591 USD). Hence, it may be concluded that bovine fasciolosis is prevalent in study
area and there is a need to launch an effective control programme to curb this important helminthic disease, which is important from economic
and public health point of view.
Key words: Bovine, economic significance, Fasciola, liver, prevalence

Fasciolosis is one of the economically important will create favorable habitat for fluke and snail vectors,
diseases of domestic livestock particularly in cattle and thereby, influencing the occurrence of fasciolosis. Both
sheep, and occasionally human beings (Pal, 2007). F. hepatica and F. gigantica are found in Ethiopia and
Recently, Pal et al. (2014) highlighted the significance of are transmitted by Lymnaea truncatula and L. natalensis,
fascioliasis as an emerging helminthic zoonosis and respectively. There is paucity of reports on the prevalence
reported that currently there are 2.4 to 17 million human of fasciolosis in animals slaughtered at Bedele municipal
cases globally and 91.1 million people are living at risk abattoir. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to
of infection. The two species most commonly implicated determine the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle
as the aetiological agents of fasciolosis are Fasciola slaughtered at this abattoir and to assess its economic
hepatica and Fasciola gigantica (Pal, 2007). This impact.
disease in cattle and sheep causes an annual economic
loss of three billion US dollars through the reduction of MATERIALS AND METHODS
milk and meat yields (Pal et al., 2014). In Ethiopia, Study Area: The study was carried out at Bedele
economic losses of 350 million ETB due to decreased municipal abattoir. Bedele is located in western Oromia
productivity caused by bovine fasciolosis have been Regional state of Illubabor zone and is about 483 kms
reported (Bahru and Ephrem, 1997). west of Addis Ababa. Geographically, Bedele town falls
Fasciolosis is one of the most prevalent helminthic between 80 to 26" 80’ N Latitudes and 360 to 20" 97’ E
infections of ruminants in different parts of the world longitudes and with an altitude of 1400 to 2010 meter
including Ethiopia. It causes significant morbidity and above sea level (m.a.s.l.). The annual mean temperature
mortality (WHO, 1995; Okewole et al., 2000). The ranges from 12.5C0 to 27.5C0 and the area receives
prevalence and economic significance of fasciolosis in annual rainfall greater than 1400mm. The livestock
Ethiopia has been reported by several researchers (Equar population of Bedele has been estimated to be 59,233
et al., 2012; Kebede et al., 2013). In recent years, small- cattle, 40,543 sheep, 9,786 goat, 38,364 poultry and 1,878
scale traditional irrigation schemes have been expanding equine (CSA, 2009).
in many parts of Ethiopia. Michael et al., (2004) had Study Design and Population: The study population
anticipated that implementation of irrigated agriculture comprised of 455 adult male cattle from different parts
*Corresponding author: palmahendra2@gmail.com intended for slaughter at Bedele municipal abattoir.
Sample Size Determination and Sampling Methods: 7.47 % (34/455) and 4.4 % (20/455), respectively (Table
Simple random sampling method was used for selection 1). A total of 140 animals (3.77%) were positive for
of sampling units at equal intervals. The sampled cattle Fasciola spp. by coprological examination. The prevalence
were screened for the presence of trematodes of interest as observed in this study was lower than that reported
by coprological and post-mortem examinations. The body in Wondogenet and Kamisse areas (Getachew et al.,
condition score was estimated using techniques suggested 2006). The differences may be attributed to variations in
by Nicholson and Bufferworth (1986), and accordingly, ecological and climatic conditions as well as animal
the animals were grouped into poor, medium and good husbandry practices. Elsewhere, a 26% prevalence of
conditions. Sample size for this study was determined fasciolosis has been reported from abattoir survey in
using the formula described by Thrusfield (1995). Since Kenya (Mugabe et al., 2006). The present study
no study has been carried out so far on the prevalence demonstrated F. hepatica to be the predominant species
of Fasciola in cattle at this abattoir, the expected followed by F. gigantica.
prevalence was taken as 50%. Thus, using the following The findings of this study did not match with those
formula the sample size for the study was calculated as of Abunna et al. (2009) who recorded higher prevalence
384. However, to increase the precision of the study, we of F. gigantica in Soddo municipal abattoir. Our findings
decided to include 455 cattle in our investigation. of the postmortem and coprological examinations are
Coprology: The prevalence of infection by coprological consistent with the findings of Gebretsadik et al. (2009)
examination was calculated as per the method of Thrusfield in Mekelle, Ethiopia. The high prevalence rate of F.
(1995). The faecal samples for parasitological examination hepatica may be associated with the existence of
were collected directly from the rectum of each animal favorable ecological biotope for L. truncatula. Relatively,
and were properly labelled. Samples were preserved with small proportions of cattle were found infected with F.
5% formalin solution to avoid the eggs developing and gigantica alone or having mixed infection with both
hatching. The time of faecal samples collection was species. This might be explained by cattle coming to
uniformly maintained throughout the study period to avoid abattoir from highlands and flood prone areas; drainage
possible diurnal variations in fluke egg output (Roy and ditches are favorable habitat of L. natalensis (Urquhart
Sunkhla, 1991). Coprological examination was performed et al., 1996). The lower prevalence of fasciolosis using
to detect the presence of Fasciola eggs using the standard coproscopy indicated lower sensitivity of this procedure
sedimentation technique (Hansen and Perry, 1994). in detecting the disease due to the intermittent nature of
Abattoir Survey: Examination of livers for Fasciola was the expulsion of the eggs through the faeces. A period
done immediately after removal of internal organs. The of 8-15 weeks after infection is needed for the appearance
livers were examined by inspection, palpation and systematic of Fasciola species eggs in the faeces, by which time
incision to recover immature and adult Fasciola flukes. most pathological lesions have already occurred (Hillyer
Those livers condemned as unfit for human consumption due and Apt, 1997). The absence of a statistically significant
to fasciolosis during post mortem examination were registered. difference of fasciolosis on the basis of site (Table 2) may
be explained by the fact that the animal slaughtered at
Data Management and Analysis: The data was
this abattoir came from the areas which had similar
recorded on specially designed forms. The prevalence of
ecological and climatic conditions. Since Ethiopia’s
fasciolosis was calculated as the number of cattle found
topography is mountainous with many ups and downs,
to be infected with Fasciola expressed as a percentage
difference in the occurrence of the disease might be the
of the total number of cattle slaughtered (Thrusfield,
result of agro-ecological comfort ability for both the parasite
1995). Difference between the results by coprological
and the snail. Furthermore, detection of Fasciola species
examination and by post-mortem examination was
eggs can be unreliable even during the patent period because
estimated. A 95% CI and 5% significance level was used
the eggs are expelled intermittently depending on the
to determine whether there was significant difference in
evacuation of the gall bladder (Hendrix, 1998).
the parameters measured between different groups.
The study indicated that infection rate in medium
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION body conditions was 37.5% followed by poor (34.1%)
Prevalence: Based on post-mortem examination, 32.5% and good (15.66%) body conditioned animals (Table 2).
(148/455) cattle were found positive for fasciolosis (Fig. This signifies that the cause of loss of body condition is
1 and 2). The relative positivity for F. hepatica, F. not only fasciolosis but also other factors such as
gigantica and mixed infections was 20.66 % (94/455), malnutrition and bovine pathogens.
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Fig 1. Bovine liver with heavy infection due to Fasciola Fig 2. Fasciola in the liver of cattle

Table 1
Prevalence of fasciolosis stratified by the species of the parasite
Tests No. Prevalence Prevalence (%), 95% CI for
conducted positive (95% CI) F. hepatica F. gigantica Mixed infection
Post mortem examination 148 32.5 % 94 (20.66) 34 (7.47) 20 (4.4)
(28.28, 37.08) 17.09, 24.73 5.30, 10.38 2.78, 6.83
Coprological examination 140 30.77% - - -
(26.60, 35.27)
X2=445.93 P-value=0.000
Table 2
Risk factor analysis for prevalence of fasciolosis in bovine based on the origin of animal and body condition scores
Risk factors Market site No. examined No. positive (%) 95%, CI X2 (P-value)
Origin Cawaqa 27 7 (25.9) 21.98, 30.23
Abdella 52 20 (38.5) 34.04, 43.16 4.55
Q/sirri 53 12 (22.6) 18.89, 26.78 (0.336)
Gechi 92 34 (36.9) 32.49, 41.54
Bedele 231 75 (32.5) 28.25, 37.05
Total 455 148 (32.5) 28.28, 37.08
Body condition score Good 83 13 (15.6) 12.55, 19.45 13.6072
Medium 240 90 (37.5) 33.07, 42.15 (0.00)
Poor 132 45 (34.1) 29.79, 38.69
Total 455 148 28.28, 37.08

Economic Losses: All the affected livers were ALC=9,360 cattle x 75.00 ETB X0.3253=2,28,360.6 ETB
condemned totally. Partial condemnation is not practiced. (equivalent to US$ 13,591)
The data was collected from the abattoir to estimate the The economic losses (US$ 13591) calculated in our
economic losses by considering annually condemned study due to condemnation of cattle livers infected with
livers. Annual data of the last three years regarding Fasciola species were much higher than the US$ 4000
animals slaughtered and livers condemned were collected per annum reported for Soddo municipal abattoir by
from retrospective abattoir record. Current retail market Abunna et al. (2009). The losses at Bedele municipal
price of an average liver size was determined from abattoir are significant and indicate the need for control
interviews with local butchers in Bedele town according of this important helminthic disease.
to the formula set by Ogunrinade and Ogunrinade (1980).
The present study indicated that bovine fasciolosis
Based on data, the average cattle slaughtered were 9,360
was widely distributed with 32.53% prevalence in and
per year. This information was used to calculate the
around Bedele. The abattoir study demonstrated significant
annual economic losses using the given formula:
economic impact of the disease directly or indirectly
ALC=CSR x LC x P
affecting cattle productivity and liver condemnation.
Where; ALC=Annual losses from liver condemnation; Draining of marshy areas, strategic use of anthelmintics,
CSR=Mean annual animals slaughtered at Bedele municipal repeated coprological examination and education of the
abattoir; LC=Mean loss of one liver; P=Prevalence rate farmers about the disease control program and
of the disease in the area management system are needed in order to reduce the
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prevalence of fasciolosis in the study area. at Elfora abattoir, Gondar, Ethiopia. J. Natural Hist. 9: 22-
29.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Michael, A., Beyene, P., Yilma, J., Don, P., Yoseph, S., Girma, T.
Authors are very thankful to Timotiwos Zenebe for and Mulugeta, M. (2004). Infection prevalence of ovine
fasciolosis in small scale irrigation schemes along the upper
his computer help. Awash River Basin. Ethiopian Vet. J. 9: 19-26.
Mugabe, E.O., Bauni, S.M., Tenhagen, B.A., Wamae, L.W., Nginyi,
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