Abstract
The current study aimed at estimating the direct (condemned offal) and indirect (meat, milk, and fecundity losses) production losses due to cystic echinococcosis (CE) in water buffaloes in Turkey. A spreadsheet loss model was constructed, and the mean prevalence ratio of CE was accepted as 3.8% in male and 21.7% in female buffaloes. The annual financial losses were estimated with official and previously published data under expected (mean value), optimistic (lowered by 10%), and pessimistic (increased by 10%) scenarios with the prices current in 2021. The production losses in an infected male and female water buffalo were estimated at $54.5 ($49.1-59.9) and $89.9 ($80.9-98.9), respectively. Due to CE, the nationwide annual total production losses were estimated at $1.5 million ($1.3-1.6) for water buffaloes in Turkey. In conclusion, farmers, policymakers, and the public need to be informed about CE's risks and financial impact. Control/eradication programs should be included in government policies at the national level after a cost/benefit analysis.
Highlights
Water buffaloes are highly frugal animals that can adapt to various environmental conditions and digest low quality/cheap roughages and pastures (Sarıözkan, 2011)
The Cystic echinococcosis (CE) related production losses in nation-wide and per infected buffalo were estimated under three scenarios; expected, optimistic, and pessimistic scenarios for evaluating the better and worse situation
Water buffaloes are an alternative source of meat and milk production
Summary
Water buffaloes are highly frugal animals that can adapt to various environmental conditions and digest low quality/cheap roughages and pastures (Sarıözkan, 2011). Since buffaloes have 1/10 fewer sweat glands and thicker skin (6–7 mm) than cattle, they need water (such as rivers, streams, marshes, lakes, ponds, and seas) to remain cool in their habitat. For this reason, they are known as semi-aquatic animals. The long history of breeding the water buffaloes in Turkey, carcass and lactation milk yield was lower than cattle Factors such as a decrease in wetlands with global warming and the number of farmers, the increase in urbanization, insufficient breeding level, and livestock diseases (bacterial, viral, parasitic) may be the main causes of this situation. The contribution of buffaloes to the total milk (0.3%) and meat production (0.006%) is always decreasing in Turkey (TUIK, 2020)
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