Ruminant Fasciolosis: Studies on the Clinical Occurrence, Coprology, Malacology and Abattoir Survey in Debre Birhan and Surrounding Areas .
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
A study on ruminant fasciolosis in Oebre Berhan and surrounding Peasant Associations was
conducted from September 2005 to February 2006. The town of Dchre Berh an and
surrounding five Peasa nt Associations fPA '51 within 15 k111 radius namely; Chole, Genal,
Zanjera, Wushawushign and Faji kebele were includ ed in these study period. The study
consisted of a questiorulaire survey, clinical examination, stud ies on the prevalence of
fasciolosis in cattle and sheep as well as snail population dynamics and infection rates. During
the study period cross sectional surveys, coprologicaJ examination on animals and evaluation
of the liver fluke disease with reference to sex, breed, age, body co ndition score and seaso n
were perfonned. At the same time studies were conducted in Oebre Serhan municipal abaltoir,
private hotels and restaurants to evaluate the leve l of liver nuke disease damage in slaughtered
animals. The methodology and procedures used in the studi es consisted questionnaire survey,
coprology_ abattoir survey and malacology. Out of the 246 faecal samples collected from
cattle and 38-1- from sheep 158 (64.23%) and 208 (54.17 %) were found positive for fasciolosis
respecti\'ely. Results of the coprologica\ examinations also indicated that the prevalence of tile
disease significantly varied among the study locations and species of animals. The highest
infection rate in cattle was found in \Vushawushign (77.5%) and the lowest (53.7%) in Faji
kebeles. On the other hand the pre\'alence of ovine fasc iolosis was highest in Genet Giorgls
(61.80%) than other kebeles while the lowest prevalence of ovine fasciolosis were recorded in
Wushawushign
kebele
though
statistically not
significant
(P>0.05).
Results of the
malacological study showed that the major species identified were Lylllnaea natalellSls. L.
frllI/cawla, BulillllS IrclllcalllS, B. Jorscalii. Bioll/phi/aria pJefferi. Bim/via, AlleyJlls al/d OllieI'
small Plallorbids.
From the findings of this study the most abundant snail was BulillllS
accounting (55.60%) followcd by Lymnaed species. Snail population dynamics and their
cercanae shedding pattem was higher in late rain season than in the dry season. L. IUllaJellsls
was encountered for the first time in thi s area. These snails were recovered from Angolela
River at a dislance of about 15 kms on Oebre Berhan-Mendida·Jihur road located at an
altiwde 2621 Ill.a.s.l. Of the 223 bovine and 292 ovine cases prcsented to the Debre Sirhan
Veterinary Clinic 38.56% and 28.77% were coprologically positive for Fasciola infecti on.respectively. The drugs most commonly used for the treatment of fasc iolosis in the clinic were
tricalbendazole and albendazole. Analysis of the findings among different age groups also
indicated the existence of significant difference in prevalence of fasciolosis both in cattle and
sheep (P<O.OS). Sheep with poor body condition were more affected by the disease than sheep
with good body condition (P>O. OS). while stastically no significant difference was noted in
cattle. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the magnitude of fascioliasis in
ruminants in the study area: identify the species of snails incriminated as intemlediate hosts
and examine snail infection rates.
Description
Keywords
Ruminant fasclolosis. prevalence. coprology, abattoir survey, malacology, Debre Berhan.