Prevalence of bovine fascioliasis along the wetlands of Soroti and Katakwi district, eastern Uganda

Abstract

Bovine fascioliasis, caused by the trematode parasite Fasciola spp., poses a significant threat to livestock health and productivity in many regions worldwide. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of bovine fascioliasis along the wetlands of Soroti and Katakwi, Uganda. The study population consisted of bovines of different breeds, sexes, and age classifications, tracked down along the wetlands of Soroti and Katakwi district. Gweri and Aukot sub counties were purposively chosen for this study in Soroti, while Toroma and Kapujan were selected from the Katakwi locale. Fresh fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum and placed in sample bottles containing 10% formalin. The sedimentation method was utilized to identify the presence or absence of Fasciola spp. eggs in the fecal samples. The prevalence of bovine fascioliasis was found to be 65% across the study sites, indicating a high burden of infection among the sampled bovine population. This high prevalence underscores the importance of implementing effective control measures to mitigate the impact of fascioliasis on livestock health and welfare in the study area. Further research is warranted to explore the factors contributing to the high prevalence and to develop targeted control strategies to reduce the burden of bovine fascioliasis in Soroti and Katakwi district in Eastern Uganda.