Abstract
A retrospective study covering a period of 10 years (1990--1999) was conducted using post mortem meat inspection records of the Veterinary Department Information Management Unit at Harare to determine the prevalence and seasonal variation of bovine fasciolosis in Zimbabwe. Records of monthly and annual returns from five major abattoirs were examined in regard to total cattle slaughtered and the corresponding number of livers condemned due to Fasciola gigantica infection. Prevalence of fasciolosis was calculated as the number of cattle found to be infected with F gigantica, expressed as a percentage of the number of cattle slaughtered. Seasonal variations in the prevalence were examined by pooling respective monthly condemnation data over a 10-year (1990--1999) period. A total of 2,474,232 cattle were slaughtered during this period and 917,565 (37.1%) of these cattle were infected with F. gigantica. The pattern of distribution of F. gigantica was significantly higher in cattle originating from catchment areas of high rainfall than in those of relatively low rainfall, and in those slaughtered during the wet season than those slaughtered during the dry season (P< 0.05). Based on the study findings a control programme for the disease in Zimbabwe is suggested.
Highlights
Surveys of livestock diseases and condemnation rates at slaughter can give a useful guide to the incidence of the less acute, chronic and mild diseases which occur in production animals in regions served by various abattoirs (Chambers 1987)
In Zimbabwe, both commercial farmers and rural farmers in communal farming areas send their animals for slaughter to various abattoirs in the country
Between 1990 and 1999, 2 474 234 cattle were slaughtered in the abattoirs and 917 565 livers (37.1 %) were condemned due to F. gigantica infestation
Summary
Surveys of livestock diseases and condemnation rates at slaughter can give a useful guide to the incidence of the less acute, chronic and mild diseases which occur in production animals in regions served by various abattoirs (Chambers 1987). Accepted for publication 27 January 2004—Editor tered at an abattoir can be a convenient and inexpensive source of information (Roberts & Suhardono 1996). The data can be used to determine trends in prevalence and significance of the disease(s) especially where the reporting system is reliable (Roberts & Suhardono 1996). Prevalence of various diseases has been reported from data collected at abattoirs in Zimbabwe (Chambers 1987)
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