Abstract

Bovine fasciolosis is an economically important parasitic disease of cattle in tropical and subtropical countries responsible for considerable economic losses in the cattle industry, mainly through condemnation of fluke-infected liver. A cross sectional study was conducted between October, 2013 and March, 2014 to determine the prevalence and monetary losses associated with bovine fasciolosis and comparing coprology and post mortem techniques of examination among cattle slaughtered at Dangila municipal abattoir in Amhara region. Out of a total of 384 cattle examined, 85 (22.14%) and 116 (30.21%) were positive for fasciolosis through coprological and postmortem examinations, respectively. Fasciola hepatica was found to be the predominant Fasciola species in the study area with prevalence of 42.2% whereas Fasciola gigantica, mixed, and immature or unidentified forms of Fasciola species were found to be 27.6, 19.0 and 11.2%, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant variation (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of fasciolosis based on age of the animal, young (< 5 years) were counted more prevalence of 23.1 and 32.7% in coprology and post mortem examinations, respectively than adult (> 5 years) with prevalence of 21.8% and 29.3% in coprological and post mortem examinations, respectively. Statistically significant variation (P < 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of fasciolosis among animals with different body conditions and months both in coprology and post mortem examinations. The highest prevalence of bovine fasiolosis was recorded in poor body conditions, with prevalences of 37.2 and 46.5% in coprology and post mortem examinations, respectively, while the highest prevalence was found to be in October with 30.7 and 40.6% both in coprology and post mortem examinations, respectively. The total monetary loss incurred due to condemned liver and carcass weight loss was estimated to be 945,270 Ethiopian birr (48,432 USD) per annum, indicating the great impact on the economy. Therefore, more detailed studies on ecology and biology of the snail intermediate host and its effective control measures should be planned.

Key words: Abattoir, cattle, Dangilla, Ethiopia, fasciolosis, monetary loss, prevalence.