Abstract

Dechasa Terefe, Anteneh Wondimu* and Dechasa Fekadu Gachen

This study reports the prevalence of fasciolosis in slaughtered cattle at abattoirs of Ethiopia. A total of 761 cattle were randomly sampled and examined after slaughter of which 407 (53.48%) were positive for fasiolosis. Depending on the degree of pathological lesions, 110 (27.03%), 220 (54.05%), and 77 (18.92%), were lightly, moderately and severely affected respectively. There was a statistically significant association (P<0.05) between the degree of pathological lesion and number of flukes in the liver were 91, 73 and 18 mean number of flukes in moderately, severely and lightly affected livers. The result indicated Fasciola hepatica was more prevalent (45.20%) followed by Fasciola gigantica (26.54%); mixed infection (15.72%) and unidentified or immature fluke (12.53%). Statistically significant variation was also observed in the prevalence of fasciolosis among animals with poor (73.83%), medium (49.51%) and good (51.24%) body conditions (P<0.05). Coprological examinations on the 163 selected cattle at ante-mortem examination showed the prevalence rate of 8.94%. The total economic loss as a result of fasciola infestation was 3,003,488.1408 ETB equivalents. This study suggests that there was significant economic loss due to fasciolosis and warrant immediate attention.