Fasciola gigantica infection in large ruminants in northern Laos: smallholder knowledge and practices

Abstract

High prevalence of Fasciola spp. infection in smallholder large ruminant farming systems has been confirmed in many regions of South-East Asia, yet information on trematode knowledge and any control practices of large ruminant farmers is lacking. We surveyed smallholder farmers (n = 326) in northern Laos on knowledge of liver fluke and its management in their large ruminants, identifying 93.1% of farmers had no knowledge and 6.9% minimal knowledge of the parasite and impacts on large ruminant production. The survey further confirmed anecdotal reports that control or prevention measures were lacking, with none of the surveyed producers using effective anthelminthic treatments or grazing strategies to control Fasciola spp. This was despite 20.6% of farmers having reported observing leaf-shaped parasites in the liver of their cattle or buffalo when slaughtered in the past. With increasing demand for red meat in the region, subsistence smallholder farmers are able to supply this market and increase their income. Athough the production impact of fascioliasis in large ruminants in these farming systems still needs to be quantified, farmer knowledge and control of fascioliasis in this region is likely to increase livestock productivity and improve rural livelihoods. This would help to address regional rural poverty and food insecurity, but requires improved knowledge to address the identified knowledge and practice gaps on presence, impact and control of fasciolosis. The majority (95.4%) of surveyed farmers indicated a desire to learn more about fascioliasis in large ruminants, suggesting that extension methods used in the past need adapting to result in more effective knowledge transfer and changed practices in future.