Bovine Hydatidosis in Ambo Municipality Abattoir, West Shoa, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study on bovine hydatidosis was conducted in Ambo municipality abattoir from November 2007 to March 2008 with the aim of investigating the prevalence, intensity, fertility and economic losses in cattle slaughtered for human consumption. Stray dogs killed with strychnine baited meat piece were also examined for the presence of adult Echinococcus granulosus. Out of the total 384 cattle examined 114 (29.69%) were found infected with hydatidosis. From the examined animals 61 (15.89%), 19 (4.95%) and 26 (6.77.3%) contained hydatid cyst in their lungs, livers, and in both lung and liver, respectively. Age related infection was significant
in that older animals were more infected (P<0.05, x2 = 15.64, df =1). In the sphere of size determination there were 471 (69.26%) small, 140 (20.59%) medium and 69 (10.15%) large sized cysts. Concerning the fertility test, 31.39%, 53.28%
and 15.33% were fertile, sterile and calcified cysts respectively. About 58.14% of fertile cysts were viable. Five (25%) out of the 20 stray dogs were infected with E.granulosus and the range of parasitic burden and mean was 3-57 and 27 respectively. The total annual economic loss due to direct and indirect loss was estimated to be 160,032.23 Ethiopian Birr. Therefore, hydatidosis has considerable economic and veterinary importance in the study area.

Keywords: Ambo/ Bovine/ Economic significance// Fertility/ Hydatidosis/Prevalence/