Prevalence of fascioliasis in cattle slaughtered at Gulu municipal abattoir, Gulu district.

Abstract

The study was conducted from February to April, 2013 at Gulu Municipal abattoir, examining cattle coming from five districts (Kaberarnaido, Apac, Dokolo, Lira and Oyam) of Northern Uganda. The fascioliasis infestation in the slaughtered cattle in Gulu municipal abattoir had resulted in decreased production of meat with about 15 Kg of liver on average being condemned daily increase secondary bacterial infections and decrease fertility in cattle; farmers had tried to control the fascioliasis using the available drugs the market but it still persists. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of fascioliasis in the, slaughtered cattle, determine the distribution of fascioliasis infestation in relation to body conditions of different sex and age group of slaughtered cattle at Gulu municipal abattoir. Following post-mortem examination of the 204 cattle randomly selected, the prevalence was 86 (42.15%the, data was filled into Microsoft Excel, spread sheet" and analyzed by using SPSS, (Statistical Package, of Social Sciences (SPSS, version 16). The infestation rate was 38.1% and 47.3% in male and female respectively, 45% of the adults (>4 years), and 37% in the young one (2-3 years), There were significant Variation on the prevalence of fasciolosis among the five districts, the prevalence was; Kaberamaido districts 52.7%, Apac 47%, Dokolo 46.9%, Lira 33.3% arid Oyam 28.6%. Moderate body condition depicted 46.8%, 35% in animals with thin body condition as, 0% in all cases of Emaciated, Fat and very fat body condition of cattle. Fascioliasis infestation was in both sex, age group irrespective of body conditions of the cattle, in all the five Districts stated. Greater vigilance on this parasite, as well as the use of correct anthelminthic couple with farmer education program, equal treatment and management by the, farmer is recommended.