Bovine Fasciola Infection: Prevalence and Intensity Among Cattle Slaughtered In Bamenda Abattoir

Abstract

Cattle production in the North West Region provides direct employment to more than 166166 people. Unfortunately, this important meat source is being infected by Fasciola, leading to increased production loss in cattle and human infection. This study therefore set out to determine the prevalence and intensity of Fasciola infection in cattle slaughtered at Bamenda abattoir. A total of 733 cattle(593 males and 140 females) brought from all seven divisions of the North West Region were sampled from January to June,2016. Faecal samples were collected and analyzed at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory by the formol ether concentration technique. Intensity was measured as eggs per gram. The overall prevalence of Fasciola infection was 20% (147/733). A higher prevalence of Fasciola infection 24.2% (90/371) was recorded during the rainy season compared with the dry season 15.7% (57/362). The prevalence of the infection was highest in cattle from Ngoketungia 37.5%(3/8) and lowest in those from Mezam Division 11.8%(24/203). Females had a higher prevalence of Fasciola infection 22.1%(31/140) than males 19.6(116/593). Intensity of Fasciola infection was highest in cattle from Bui Division (31.3eggs per gramme, EPG and lowest in Ngoketunjia (2.2 EPG). It was thus concluded that Fasciola infection was prevalent in cattle brought for slaughter at Bamenda abattoir with a higher prevalence in females than and greater occurrence in rainy season than dry season.