E-ISSN 2223-0343


Occurrence and seasonal predisposition of fasciolosis in cattle and goats slaughtered in Kasulu District abattoir, Western Tanzania

Jahashi Nzalawahe1* and Erick V.G. Komba2

1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania; 2Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania

 
Abstract

A 3 year study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle and goats slaughtered at Kasulu district abattoir. It involved 33 months (July, 2010 to March, 2013) retrospective data collected as abattoir records and three months (April, 2013 to June, 2013) prospective meat inspection by researchers, during which adult worm and egg samples were collected for morphometric identification. During the study period, a total of 8410 cattle and 8424 goats were slaughtered and inspected; out of which 6376 (76%) and 2295 (26%) were found to be infected with fasciolosis respectively. The study observed significant seasonal pattern of fasciolosis in cattle with higher prevalence observed during the dry season. Worm and egg identification suggested that F. gigantica was responsible for the infections in slaughtered cattle and goats. This is the first study to report the occurrence of fasciolosis in domesticated ruminants in western Tanzania and has established that fasciolosis is highly prevalent in cattle and goats. Effective control strategies need to be put in place focusing on both the parasite and the snail intermediate hosts.

Keywords: Fasciolosis; cattle; goats; Western zone; Tanzania
 
To cite this article: Nzalawahe J and EVG Komba, 2013. Occurrence and seasonal predisposition of fasciolosis in cattle and goats slaughtered in Kasulu District Abattoir, Western Tanzania. Res. Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 3(11), 395-400.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Home  |  Archive  |  Instructions  |  Submission  |  Editorial Board  |  Sample Paper

All rights reserved © roavs.com