Prevalence, Cyst Characterization and Economic Importance of Bovine Hydatidosis in Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, cyst fertility and economic importance of bovine hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia. The study revealed 20.16% (98/486) occurrence of hydatidosis based on the postmortem examination of 486 cattle slaughtered and examined. Prevalence of hydatidosis is significantly associated with body condition score (P 0.05). Of the 98 viscera harboring hydatid cysts, the highest 57(58.17%) were found in lung followed by liver 24(24.49%), kidney 2(2.04%) and 1(1.02%) heart. In addition, out of the total 361 cysts collected 63(17.45%) were fertile, 210 (58.17%) sterile and 88 (24.38%) calcified. During viability test of fertile cysts, 33.33% hydatid cyst viability rate was observed. The rate of cyst calcification was higher in liver (43.24%) than in the lung (11.43%). Based on the study, the direct annual economic loss due to organs condemned at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise was estimated to be 345334.84 Ethiopian Birr. The present study showed higher prevalence of hydatidosis in Addis Ababa abattoir. Therefore to break the life cycle of hydatidosis, public education should be undertaken in addition to regular treatment of dogs and fencing the surrounding of the abattoir should be encouraged to reduce the spread of the disease.