Authors : Solomon Mosu Enyew, Heran Workneh Beyene and Abebe Fromsa Merga
Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted in and around Ada’a district of Ethiopia from November 2018 to May 2019, with the aim of estimating prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis and identifying potential risk factors associated with the infection in small ruminants. A total of 200 small ruminants (79 sheep and 121 goats) were selected by systematic random sampling and recorded at antemortem examination. Brains were examined for the presence of Coenurus cerebralis during postmortem procedures. The overall prevalence was 10% with 25.3% in sheep and 0% in goats. Statistically significant (p<0.05) variation in the prevalence of the disease among species was observed. There was also association (p<0.05) between prevalence of cerebral coenurosis and origin of animals with18.9% prevalence in animals originated from Mojo area followed by Somali regional state (14.3%) and none was detected in animals originated from Arsi, Borena and Harar. Twenty-one cysts were detected from infected animals of which 47.6% cysts were located in the left brain, 28.6% in the right brain and 23.8% in the middle brain. The average size of the cyst was 2.1 cm. In conclusion, the study confirmed a high prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis in small ruminants slaughtered at selected export and municipal abattoirs in and around Ada’a district. Therefore, awareness creation programs should be launched to the butchers, abattoir workers and dog owners about the transmission and control of the disease.
Solomon Mosu Enyew, Heran Workneh Beyene and Abebe Fromsa Merga, 2021. Prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis in Small Ruminants Slaughtered at Selected Abattoirs in and Around Ada’a District, East Showa, Ethiopia. Agricultural Journal, 16: 29-33.