Postmortem prevalence of Fasciolosis and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBP) and economic losses in cattle at Nsukka Abattoir, Nigeria

Abstract

Fasciolosis and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBP) are characterized by gross pathognomonic lesions in organ/offal of slaughtered cattle which result in condemnation of unsafe meat. Both are the major causes of bovine organ/offal condemnation in Nigeria. Postmortem detection with focus on Fasciola and CBP infections were made in cattle slaughtered at Ikpa market abattoir, Nsukka between May – July 2018. In addition, the economic losses associated with the disease conditions were assessed. Out of 474 cattle examined, 114(24 %) and 200(42.2 %), had gross lesions of fasciolosis and CBP respectively, while 66(13.9 %) were positive for the both conditions. Both lesions were observed in the three breeds of slaughtered cattle (White Fulani, Sokoto gudali and Ndama) irrespective of sex and age. The disease lesions were not significantly associated (p<0.05) with sex, age and breed of cattle. However, there was a significant relationship (p>0.05) between the prevalence of CBP and fasciolosis lesions in the slaughtered cattle. The economic loss due to condemnation of affected organs was estimated at N 1, 716,900.00 (US$ 4,769) in 24 days, approximately equivalent to N 71, 537.50 (US$ 198.8) on daily basis. The findings have revealed the high level of organ damages and financial losses due to fasciolosis and CBP in the study area. This portends dangers not limited to livestock production and the economy, but zoonosis and other public health issues. Public awareness campaign, appropriate surveillance and disease control programmes should be implemented in addition to adequate meat inspection and compensation for farmers.

Keywords: Postmortem, Prevalence, Fasciolosis, Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, Cattle, Nigeria