Coprological Detection of Bovine Fasciolosis in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Bovine Fasciolosis is a vector – borne zoonosis and one of the most neglected tropical diseases that cause huge economic losses and poor animal conditions in Nigeria. The prevalence of Fasciolosis in Cattle slaughtered in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was investigated. Faecal samples were collected from the cattle antemortem and analysed using copro ELISA test-kits and gross lesions were inspected at postmortem. Out of one hundred and eighty six (186) faecal samples analysed, over-all prevalence was 98(52.7%). From each abattoir was 38 (38.8%), 36 (36.7%) and 24 (24.5%) at Karu, Dei-Dei and Gwagwalada abattoirs respectively. Based on body condition scoring, infection rates were 39 (58.2%), 45 (58.4%) and 20 (47.6%) from cattle with poor, moderate and good body conditions accordingly. Males had a higher prevalence rate of 48 (50%) than females with 40 (44.4%). Based on the breed of cattle, infection rate of the diseases was 41 (66.1%), 39 (62.9%) and 20 (32.3%) in White fulani, Sokotogudali and Red bororo accordingly. Out of 186 cattle inspected at postmortem, 47 livers were condemned totally due to the presence of liver flukes (Fasciola species) in the hepatic parenchyma, fluke tracts, livers were friable and chirrotic. This led to an estimated loss of about three million, one hundred and two thousand naira (3,102,000.00). There was no statistically significant association between the infection and breed, sex and body condition score (p>0.05). Treatment of all cattle with an effective flukicides, vector control, enlightening of cattle farmers for proper intervention against fasciolosis are recommended.