Prevalence of bovine hydatidosis and its economic importance in Adama Municipal Abattoir, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Hydatidosis is a major parasitic disease condition responsible for low productivity of livestock industry in Ethiopia due to imposing poor weight gains and condemnation of organs. This study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 in Adama municipal abattoir to estimate the prevalence, organ distribution of the cyst, and economic importance of bovine hydatidosis. Routine meat inspection, hydatid cyst count and characterization were conducted. Out of 400 cattle slaughtered at Adama municipal abattoir, 210 (52.5%) animals were found harboring hydatid cysts. The infection prevalence was higher in lung 105(26.2%) than the rest of the organs examined. In the present study, explanatory variables (sex, age, breed, body condition and origin) were found to have statistically significant (p<0.05) association with the prevalence of hydatidosis. Of the total of 970 hydatid cysts counted, 529/731(72.4%) small, 89/100(89%) medium, 42/45(93.3%) large and 20/94(21.3%) calcified cysts were detected in lung. Liver harbored 194/731(26.5%) small, 11/100(11%) medium, 3/45(6.7%) large and 74/94(78.7%) calcified cysts. Out of 208 cysts subjected for fertility and viability testing 120(57.7%), 74(35.6%), 40(54%) 34(46%) and 14(6.7%) were sterile, fertile, viable, non-viable and calcified cysts, respectively. The financial loss due to organ condemnation annually and during the study period was estimated to be 894,505.612 ETB and 17,844.90 ETB, respectively. The prevalence of hydatidosis in such a high proportion implies that the disease is economically important in the study area. Therefore, there should be strict control of hydatidosis by focusing on backyard slaughter practice, unsafe offal feeding of dogs, and proper west disposal. Moreover, awareness creation on its zoonotic importance, route of transmission and the growing stray dog population need to be given special attention.

Keywords: Abattoir; Adama; Cattle; E. granulosus; hydatidosis