Prevalence of <i>Fasciolia gigantica</i> in slaughtered cattle in Ado municipal abattoir, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was carried out in the month of February and March 2014 to determine the prevalence and the intensity of Fasciola gigantica infection in slaughtered cattle in Ado municipal abattoir. The abattoir was visited twice in a week; the liver of cattle slaughtered were examined for presence of adult Fasciola gigantica. A total of 475 cattle were examined during the period, out of which eighty-one (17.1%) were positive for presence of Fasciola gigantica with varying levels of intensity. The month of March had the highest infection rate of 22.2% than February which was 12.2%. Males had the highest infection rate in the two months than the females. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in the infection in males and females (P> 0.05). This result established the presence of Fasciola gigantica in Ado Ekiti with prevalence rate of 17.1%.Among positive samples (n=81), 27 % (n=22) were light (0-10 flukes), 58 % (n=47) moderate (11=50 flukes), and 14 % (n=12) heavy intensity of infection. Cattle slaughtered at this abattoir are majorly purchased from the northern part of the country. Grazing of these cattle on pasture visited by local flock’s leads to cross infection. Control measures should therefore be instituted, like routine anthelmintic administration and eradication of the snail intermediate host to curtail the spread of the parasite in the area. More surveillance should be mounted by Veterinary officers and public health officers against the disease in slaughtered cattle.

Key words: Fasciola gigantica, Cattle, Liver, Abattoir, Ado Ekiti