SLAUGHTER HOUSE BASED EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ESTIMATION OF ECONOMIC LOSSES OF BOVINE FASCIOLIASIS IN TEHSIL SARGODHA

Abstract

Present study was carried out to determine epidemiology of bovine fascioliasis and estimation of economic losses inferred by bovine fascioliasis in slaughter houses of tehsil Sargodha. Liver and fecal samples were collected from 146 cattle and 184 buffaloes. Livers were examined for the presence of any fluke while egg identification was done in fecal samples. Prevalence of Fasciola was found to be 25.75% in coprological examination while adult flukes were found in 43.63% livers. Significantly higher prevalence of fascioliasis was found in buffaloes as compared to cattle. Sensitivity and specificity of microscopy were calculated as 37.12% and 100% respectively, taking liver examination as gold standard. Different age categories were found to be significantly associated with risk of infection. However, sex was found to be non-significantly associated with the disease. Economic losses in terms of condemnation of infected livers caused by bovine fascioliasis in tehsil Sargodha were estimated to be 35697 USD (3141360 PKR). High value of economic losses suggested the adoption of suitable measures for the control of disease.