Abstract

Abiyot J.1 , Beyene, D.1 , and Abunna F.2

This study was conducted from November 2009 to April 2010 with a purpose to assess the prevalence and economic significance of hydatid cyst in slaughtered sheep and goats at Modjo Modern Export Abattoir (MMEA), Ethiopia. The result of this study revealed that a total of 1115 small ruminants (348 sheep and 767 goats) were randomly sampled and examined after slaughter for the presence of hydatid cysts in the visceral organs (lungs, livers and hearts) and on muscles of the animals using the standard meat inspection procedures, where 97 (8.7%) were positive. The positive samples were taken to the laboratory for the cyst identification; fertility and viability test were performed. The study indicated that the prevalence of the hydatid cyst in the study area was 28 (8.05%) in sheep and 69 (8.99%) in goats which showed no significant variation between the two species. The distribution of cysts in the internal organs showed little significant variation between two organs (Lung and liver) in both animal species (χ 2 = 0.272, P>0.05). From the total examined sheep, 22 (78.6%) of the lung, 9 (32.1%) of liver and 1 (3.6%) of the heart which in goats was, 37 (53.6%) for lung, 27 (39.1%) liver, 0 (0%) heart and 4 (5.6%) muscles, respectively. Lung was the most commonly affected organ both in sheep and goats. Retrospective data in the abattoir from 2005 to 2009 showed an overall prevalence of 5.4 and 11% in sheep and goats, respectively. With a total of 599685 small ruminants slaughtered, 15807 of lung and 9099 of the liver were found infected with hydatidosis. The total annual economic loss incurred due to hydatidosis in small ruminants slaughtered in Modjo modern export abattoir during the study periods was 69,139.77 Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Hence, this study supports evidence to stress the economic consequences and pathological patterns of hydatidosis at the facility and some recommendations suggested.