Abstract

Zoonotic parasitic diseases are a significant and widespread public health threat, globally. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of zoonotic parasites in slaughtered animals at industrial abattoir in Ilam Province, Western Iran. In the present descriptive and retrospective study, all records of abattoir were analyzed. It was conducted on 61,442 indigenous animals including 37167 sheep, 13421 goats and 10854 cattle. Overall, prevalence of parasitic infections was 8.69% in slaughtered animals in the region and prevalence of liver hydatidosis, lung hydatidosis, Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum was 3.18, 3.6, 1.06 and 0.6%, respectively.  0.22% prevalence was found forCysticercus.  Macroscopic cysts of Sarcocystis were not seen in slaughtered animals.The prevalent rate of parasites is 11.92, 10.10, 8.92 and 6.54% in summer, autumn, winter and spring, respectively. In conclusion, prevalence of zoonotic parasites in Ilam Region is considerable. It also imposes economic losses, resulting from the loss of livestock and their products. So control programs must be carried out to eliminate transmission in the region.

Key words: Zoonotic disease, helminthes, prevalence, abattoir.