Studies on Prevalence, Economic and Public Health Importance of Hydatidosis in Slaughtered Animals at Addis Ababa Abattoir, Ethiopia
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A cross sectional survey was conducted from November 2007 to April 2008 with the objective
to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in food animals slaughtered at Addis Ababa
Abattoir, study the effect of risk factors on the prevalence of hydatidosis, evaluate the size,
fertility and viability of the cysts, assess the economic losses and the public health significance
of the disease. Routine meat inspection procedures was· conducted whereby livers, lungs,
hearts, kidneys and spleens were visualized, palpated and incised to detect the presence of the
cysts. The sizes of the cysts was determined by measuring the diameter in cm. Fertility was
evaluated by observing the presence of protoscoleces under the microscope and viability was
determined by staining the protoscoleces with 0.1 % aqueous solution of eosin. Protoscoleces
which took up the stain were considered as non viable. The annual economic loss was
calculated by multiplying the number of annually condemned organs with the current market
value of organs . The public health significance was assessed by employing structured
questionnaire.
Out of the total of 3430 cattle, sheep, goats and pigs slaughtered and inspected at Addis Ababa
Abattoir during the study period, 639 (18.6 %) of them were found to be infected with
hydatidosis. Prevalence of254 (21 %),206 (19.9 %),102 (16 %) and 77 (14 %) were recorded
in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, respectively. Prevalence of 132 (20.9 %),85 (22.4 %) and 37
(18.7 %) was registered in cattle of Borana, Arsi and Abyssinian Zebu breeds, respectively.
There was no significant variation in cattle of different breeds. Even though higher prevalence
was detected in cattle from midland areas 124 (21.3 %) than in cattle originated from lowland
areas 130 (20.5 %), there was no significant difference in prevalence in cattle from the two
origins. The prevalence in cattle above 6 years old 117 was higher (95.9 %) than in cattle less
than 2- 4 years old 11 (2.6 %). Prevalence of 88 (8.5 %),53 (5.1 %) and 65 (6.3 %) was
recorded in Black Head - Ogaden, Adal and Abyssinian sheep breeds, respectively. Sheep
under less than 1 year 77 (7.4 %) was more infected than sheep above 3 years of age 11 (1.1
%) and the difference in prevalence was significant. The prevalence of hydatidosis in ArsiBale
and Keffa goat breeds was 53 (8.3 %) and 49 (7.6 %), respectively. The frequency of
infection rate was higher in pigs kept at backyard 55 (10 %) than those managed under
intensive husbandry system 22 (4 %). Out of the total 2071 cysts isolated from the different
organs of cattle, 1007 (48.6 %) were small, 711 (34.3 %) medium and 353 (17 %) were large.
VIIi
More cysts were counted in the lungs of cattle, sheep and goats, but more cysts were found
in swine's liver than in lung. Out of the total of 396 cysts isolated from organs of cattle, 217
(54.8 %) were fertile, 133 (33.6 %) sterile and 46 (11.6 %) were calcified. Out of the 217
fertile cysts, 185 (85.3 %) were viable and 32 (17.3 %) were none viable. The annual economic
loss was estimated to be 10,923,601.00 Ethiopian Birr, which is equivalent to 1,139,061.63
USD. 234 cases of human hydatidosis were surgically treated at the Tikur Anbassa Referral
Hospital in Addis Ababa. The economic and public health significance of the disease is
discussed and pertinent conclusions are drawn.
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Keywords
Abattoir; economic loss, hydatidosis; prevalence; protoscoleces; Public health.