Financial loss estimation of bovine fasciolosis in slaughtered cattle in South Africa

Borden Mushonga,Voster Muchenje,Ishmael Festus Jaja,Ezekiel Green

doi:10.1016/j.parepi.2017.10.001

Borden Mushonga, Voster Muchenje + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2017.10.001

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Abstract

South Africa's livestock population is rapidly evolving and consequently will require sustained epidemiological surveillance to detect and prevent diseases which contribute to a decrease in livestock productivity, public health risk and food wastage. Fasciola infection is one of the commonest diseases affecting livestock health and a significant portion of meat and offal's are declared unfit for human consumption. This study assessed the prevalence and monetary losses associated with Fasciola infection at three abattoirs in Eastern Cape Province. A retrospective data of all slaughtered cattle were obtained from Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) from 2010–2012. A prospective abattoir survey was conducted between July 2013 and June 2014 to determine the prevalence and financial loss due to fasciolosis.The highest prevalence was in December and January (23%) while the lowest prevalence was recorded in May and June (5%). Annual prevalence of Fasciola at abattoirs AB1, were (3.2%, 2.2% and 2.0%), AB2 (6.4%, 4.6% and 3.5%), AB3 (14.4%, 6.9% and 9.5%) for year 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. The total financial loss due to Fasciola infection during the active survey of the three abattoirs was ZAR 44, 930 (3456.2 USD). A breakdown of this figure shows that whole liver condemnation was ZAR 25, 230 (2, 357 USD), and partial liver condemnation was ZAR 19, 700 (1515.4 USD).The present study reveals the economic loss due to liver condemnation from Fasciola infection and provides regional baseline information regarding the prevalence of Fasciola in cattle at three abattoirs.

Highlights

Fasciola is a trematode predominantly found in ruminants, but can infect humans (Ashrafi and Mas-Coma, 2014)
The present study reveals the economic loss due to liver condemnation from Fasciola infection and provides regional baseline information regarding the prevalence of Fasciola in cattle at three abattoirs
This study aims to determine the prevalence of Fasciola and estimate financial loss associated with fasciolosis in slaughtered cattle in selected abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Summary

Introduction

Fasciola is a trematode predominantly found in ruminants (cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats), but can infect humans (Ashrafi and Mas-Coma, 2014). Infection in livestock usually leads to reduced growth, poor production of meat and milk. Reduction in milk yield, due to infection with Fasciola Spp. is between 3.8% to 15.2% while global production losses exceed US$3 billion/year (Bekele et al, 2010; Elliott et al, 2015; Jean-Richard et al, 2014; Martínez-Pérez et al, 2012; Terefe et al., 2012; Toet et al, 2014). When the trematode reaches the bile ducts and attains sexual maturity, some parasite eggs migrate to liver parenchyma causing severe eosinophilic and granulomatous inflammatory responses (Buffoni et al, 2010; Martínez-Pérez et al, 2012; Molina-Hernández et al, 2015; Zafra et al, 2010). Several studies have shown that it is at this stage that most pathological damage starts to occur. (Keyyu et al, 2006; Khan et al, 2010; Sánchez-Andrade et al, 2002; Tsotetsi and Mbati, 2003)

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