Hydatidosis among ruminants slaughtered in Kafur Abattoir, Katsina State

Abstract

Hydatidosis is an infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus. It is among the parasitic diseases that imperil livestock production. This study aims to determine the prevalence of hydatid cysts among ruminants slaughtered in Kafur Abattoir, Katsina State. Post-mortem examination of the visceral organs of 600 ruminants (200 cattle, 100 sheep and 300 goats) was carried out for six months (September 2022-March 2023). The overall prevalence of hydatid cysts was 144 (24%). The prevalence was 46 (23%) cattle, 14(14%) sheep and in 84 (28%) goat. The prevalence of hydatid cysts was significantly associated with goats (OR>1.0, 95% CI>1.0) while in cattle and sheep, it showed no association. The cyst diameter of <5cm was predominant (137 out of 278 cysts) while the cyst diameter of >10cm was the least abundant (32). The liver and lungs harboured the majority of the cysts recovered in the animals. In cattle, only the liver and lungs were infected; the liver, lungs and heart were infected in sheep while in goats all four organs were infected. The study showed a significant prevalence of hydatid cyst infection in the ruminants studied, suggesting the need for public health awareness and control of the disease.