Study on Bovine Trematodes and their Snail Vectors in Enderta District and Mekele Special Zone, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Trematodes are one of the economical and public health important vector born parasite helminthes in Ethiopia including Tigray. In the current study cross sectional study was conducted in Enderta district and Mekele special zone from November 2020 to May 2021 to assess the socio-economic significance of bovine trematodes and estimate their prevalence, associated risk factors and identify the snail intermediate hosts harboring the parasites in the areas. To achieve these objectives, a combined of coprological examination, post-mortem examination, snail collection and identification and interview was performed. Out of 480 fecal samples examined 10.42% were found positive for at least one genus of bovine trematodes. The specific prevalence for Fasciola, Paramphistomum and Schistosoma was 4.58%, 2.7% and 3.12%, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of bovine trematodes in males (14.2%) was higher than that of females (6.44%) and the variation was statistically significant (X2 =7.76, p= 0.012). On the other hand, prevalence in poor body condition (25.7%) was higher than that of medium body condition (7.41%) as well as good body condition (3.9%) and the variation was statistically significant (X2= 28.7, p= 3.73e-09). In the other case, out 480 cattle slaughtered at Abergelle international abattoir 12.5% (n=60) were found to harbor adult trematode worms. The economic loses in Abergelle international abattoir was calculated based on liver condemnation and was 15,252 ETB loses from liver condemnation annually.
Furthermore, out of 1000 snails collected and identified 356 (35.6%) Lymnaea spp, 347(34.7%) Biomphalaria spp and 297(29.7%) Bulinus spp were identified. Trematodes are still major limiting factors to livestock production and productivity in the study areas. So an urgent implementation of control methods including, improving access to clean drinking water for both animals and humans and creation of awareness to cattle owners on the impact of the diseases is necessary. In addition creation of attitude to the farmers in the treating of their animals by using recommended anti-helminthic drugs rather than traditional treatments is mandatory.
Description
Keywords
Bovine trematodes, coprological examination, Enderta Woreda, Mekelle special zone, post-mortem examination, prevalence, Snails, risk factors