Authors : Abebayehu Tadesse, Yonas Ayele, Kiber Temesgen, Berhan Tesega, Metages Yirgalem, Mensur Hagos Ashenafi, Getachew Tilahun, Dinka Ayana and Tadesse Eguale
Abstract: A cross-sectional abattoir study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bovine and ovine fasciolosis and the associated economic loss due to liver condemnation in three local and two export abattoirs in Ethiopia. A total of 5427 randomly selected animals comprising cattle (2257), sheep (1189) and goats (1070) managed under extensive traditional system and brought to two export and three municipal abattoirs were exposed to antmortem and postmortem inspection. Individual flatworms were identified to species level according to existing keys and descriptions using their morphologic characters. Fluke counts and subsequently the lesion score (severity) were made based on fluke burden and damage to the liver. All fluke infected livers were considered as condemned and included in the calculations for the associated economic losses. A univariable logistic regression followed by multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate the relation and statistical significance between positivity for liver examination and the factors considered. A total of 2530 (46.6%±0.059) livers examined in abattoirs were positive for fasciolosis. The total number of livers observed in export abattoirs (Elfora and Helimix) were 2330 (48.4%) while the remaining 3097 were (51.6%) from municipal abattoirs (Addis Ababa, DebreBerhan and Bahrdar). The overall prevalence of fasciolosis observed in ruminants slaughtered in export abattoirs was 34.6% (877/2530) whereas it was significantly higher in ruminants slaughtered at municipal abattoirs 65.2% (1653/2530) as the whole. The mean annual financial loss recorded altogether in export and municipal abattoirs was 7,049,638 ETB/335, 697.1 USD. However, the overall mean financial loss observed in three municipal abattoirs (5,260,596 ETB/250,504.6 USD) was significantly higher than the combined loss incurred in two export abattoirs (1,789,043ETB/85,192.5 USD). The present findings on ruminants at abattoirs had shown higher prevalence of fasciolosis (46.6%±0.059) with significant annual financial loss (1,789,043ETB/85,192.5 USD). This indicated the economic loss is more significant, since, animals had shown prevalence above 25%. The high prevalence of fasciolosis in ruminants coupled with relatively higher mean annual financial loss observed in both export and municipal abattoirs clearly indicated the effect of the liver flukes in ruminant production and its impact to the Ethiopian economy.
Abebayehu Tadesse, Yonas Ayele, Kiber Temesgen, Berhan Tesega, Metages Yirgalem, Mensur Hagos Ashenafi, Getachew Tilahun, Dinka Ayana and Tadesse Eguale, 2020. Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Veterinary Research, 13: 8-18.