Continental J.

Veterinary Sciences 5 (1): 1 - 5, 2011 ISSN: 2141 – 4041

© Wilolud Journals, 2011 http://www.wiloludjournal.com
` Printed in Nigeria

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE OF FASCIOLIASIS OF RUMINANTS IN IKOM ABATTOIR

OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Ozung, P.O.1, Owai, P. U.1 and Oni, K.O2

1
Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, P.M.B 1115, Calabar, 2 Department of Food Science &
Technology, University of Mkar, Benue State

ABSTRACT
A study on the prevalence of Fascioliasis of ruminants in Ikom abattoir was undertaken from January
1995 – December 1999. A total of 2019 ruminant species of which 1020 (50.52%), 479 (23.72%) and
520 (25.76%) cattle, goats and sheep respectively, were slaughtered in the abattoir as documented by
the Veterinary & Meat Inspection Department. Findings show a prevalence rate of 31.70% for the three
ruminant species considered with no significant difference (p > 0.05) between species. The number of
partially condemned liver cases; 81.42%, 94.23% and 92.65% was greater than the number of totally
condemned cases; 18.58%, 5.77% and 7.35% for caprine, ovine and bovine species respectively. On
differential sex diagnosis, the rate of fascioliasis was higher in dams; 77.75%, 55.95% and 80.77% than
sires; 22.25%, 44.05% and 19.23% respectively for bovine, caprine and ovine species. These findings
show that fascioliasis could pose a serious health threat to ruminants and the consuming public in Ikom.

KEYWORDS: Fascioliasis, Bovine, Caprine, Ovine, Sire and Dam.

INTRODUCTION
Liver fluke is a common trematode (flat worm) that causes a parasitic disease called fascioliasis or fluke disease.
It has a pathogenic effect on ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) as well as other farm animals like horses,
donkeys, pigs and to a lesser extent poultry (Pankhurst, 1963; Owen, 1977; Blood et al., 1980). Species of liver
fluke include Fasciola gigantiga and F. hepatica, with the former being more prevalent in Cattle and the latter
in Sheep and Goats (Blood et al., 1980; Lapage, 1968). Acute fascioliasis is common in sheep and goats while
the chronic form is found mostly in cattle (Lapage, 1968). Symptoms of fascioliasis include anaemia,
emaciation and reproductive dysfunction in animals with the chronic form (Reid, 1995). While in acute
fascioliasis, the animals usually show signs of anorexia, dullness, diarrhea, muscular atrophy, subcutaneous
oedema and impaired immune systems (Boray, 1969; Blood et al., 1980). Hepatic fascioliasis is often
characterized by a swollen liver (Ross, 1970; Dawes and Hughes, 1970).

The incidence of fascioliasis varies with the seasons (Suarez and Busetti,1995)and depends on the level of
agricultural activity, nutritional deficiency, pasture management, micro and macro climate of the area, presence
of intermediate host (water snail) and vectors in the area as well as the immunological status of the host (Harris
and Charleston, 1974; Onyali et al., 1990). The prevalence of fascioliasis due to Fasciola gigantiga in many
parts of the world has been reviewed by Coyle (1961). In Africa, Megard (1975) gave the prevalence rates in
Kenya (33%), Sudan (37%), Cameroon (45%), Ethiopia (30 – 90%), Uganda (10%), Central African Republic
(62%) and Rwanda (50%). In Nigeria, there are few reports on the prevalence of fascioliasis, in spite of the well
known economic importance of the disease in livestock (Ogunrinade, 1980). The existing accounts of the
disease in Nigeria are based on local surveys on the incidence of fascioliasis in some areas of the country and
often cover only a few months of the year (Ogunrinade and Ogunrinade 1980). For instance, Ferguson (1964),
determined the incidence of fascioliasis in Birnin- Kebbi, Maiduguri, Kano and Kaduna. Babalola and
Schillhorn van veen (1976), determined the incidence of the disease in Zaria, while Ikeme and Obioha (1973);
Uzoukwu and Ikeme (1978) recorded the prevalence rate of fascioliasis in cattle slaughtered in some parts of
eastern Nigeria.

Economic losses from fascioliasis are enormous. Alonge and Fasanmi (1979) reported that 94% of total liver
condemnation in some abattoirs in Northern Nigeria was due to fascioliasis. Ogunrinade (1980) assessed total
economic losses due to bovine fascioliasis to be 2 – 3% of the annual output of the livestock industry estimated
at #150 – 250 million (3rd National Livestock Development Report, 1978). Hence, the justification of this

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 Ozung, P.O et al.,: Continental J. Veterinary Sciences 5 (1): 1 - 5, 2011

assessment; so as enable the relevant authorities and agencies of Agriculture take more drastic efforts at
controlling and eradicating this disease.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
THE STUDY AREA:
The assessment was carried out in Ikom Abattoir, Ikom LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria. Ikom is situated in
the tropical rain forest zone and is bounded by Boki LGA in the North, Obubra LGA in the South, Cameroon
Republic in the East and Etung LGA in the West. The major occupation in this area is tree crop (cocoa) and
arable crop farming.

STUDY POPULATION:
Trade cattle, sheep and goats are usually transported to Ikom from the Northern States of Nigeria and some from
the Cameroon – Mamfe, Ekok axis. These animals are usually fattened and thereafter slaughtered in the abattoir.
The study population constituted all cattle (Bovine), Sheep (Ovine) and Goats (Caprine) slaughtered in Ikom
abattoir from January 1995 – December 1999.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

A descriptive survey was used and data obtained on the rate of fascioliasis in the three ruminant species were
considered and analyzed simple percentages. Secondary data on the prevalence rate of fascioliasis were
obtained from the documented records of Veterinary and Meat Inspection Department at Ikom, from January
1995 – December 1999.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

RESULTS:
Table 1 shows the prevalence of fascioliasis of ruminants in Ikom abattoir over a five year period. Results show
that a total of 1020 cattle, 479 goats and 520 sheep were slaughtered for the period under investigation. There
was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the prevalence rate in cattle, sheep and goats. A combined
prevalence rate of 31.70% was recorded. The totally condemned liver cases were 7.35% against 92.65%
partially condemned liver cases for the Bovine species; similarly, 18.58% against 81.42% for Caprine species
and 5.77% against 94.23% for Ovine species.

Table 2 shows the differential sex infection of fascioliasis, such as 22.25% sire and 77.75% dam; 44.05% sire
and 55.95% dam as well as 19.23% sire and 80.77% dam in cattle, goats and sheep respectively.

TABLE 1: PREVALENCE OF FASIOLIASIS 0F RUMINANTS IN IKOM ABATTOIR

YEAR BOVINE SPECIES CAPRINE SPECIES OVINE SPECIES

NS (%) TCL (%) PCL (%) NS (%) TCL (%) PCL (%) NS (%) TCL (%) PCL (%)

1995 170 (16.67) 20 (11.76) 50 (88.24) 96(20.04) 26(27.08) 70(72.92) 80(15.38) 05(6.25) 75(93.75)

1996 230(22.55) 10(4.35) 220(95.65) 68(14.20) 10(14.71) 58(85.29) 120(23.08) 08(6.67) 112(93.33)

1997 150(14.71) 05(3.33) 145(96.67) 90(18.79) 20(22.22) 70(77.78) 110(21.15) 06(5.45) 104(94.55)

1998 220(21.57) 25(11.36) 195(88.64) 105(21.92) 15(14.29) 90(85.71) 95(18.27) 04(4.21) 91(95.79)

1999 250(24.51) 15(6.00) 235(94.00) 120(25.05) 18(15.00) 102(85.00) 115(22.12) 07(6.09) 108(93.91)

TOTAL 1020(100) 75(7.35) 945(92.65) 479(100) 89(18.58) 390(81.42) 520(100) 30(5.77) 490(94.23)
KEY:
NS: Number Slaughtered
TCL: Totally Condemned Liver Cases
PCL: Partially Condemned Liver Cases

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TABLE 2: DIFFERENTIAL SEX INFECTION OF FASCIOLIASIS IN IKOM ABATTOIR

YEAR BOVINE SPECIES CAPRINE SPECIES OVINE SPECIES
NS Male(%) Female(%) NS Male(%) Female(%) NS Male(%) Female(%)

1995 170 40(23.53) 130(76.47) 96 58(60.42) 38(39.58) 80 20(25.00) 60(75.00)

1996 230 60(26.09) 170(73.91) 68 25(36.76) 43(63.24) 120 10(8.33) 110(91.67)

1997 150 49(32.67) 101(67.33) 90 20(22.22) 70(77.78) 110 35(31.82) 75(68.18)

1998 220 46(20.91) 174(79.09) 105 90(85.71) 15(14.29) 95 10(10.53) 85(89.47)

1999 250 32(12.80) 218(87.20) 120 18(15.00) 102(85.00) 115 25(21.74) 90(78.26)

TOTAL1020 227(22.25) 793(77.75) 479 211(44.05) 268(55.95) 520 100(19.23) 420(80.97)

NS: Number Slaughtered

DISCUSSION:
Results of this study showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of fascioliasis in cattle, sheep
and goats. This however, contradicts the report of Ayana, et al., (2009) who revealed significant difference
(p<0.05) in the prevalence of fascioliasis between ovine (sheep) and caprine (goat) species. The slaughter rates
for the three ruminant species fluctuated over the five year period, with the Bovine species (cattle) recording the
highest slaughter rate, followed by Ovine (sheep) and Caprine (goats) respectively. This trend is justifiable
because beef is highly patronized in the area by individuals and hoteliers within Ikom and neighboring Etung
Local Government Area. For the Bovine species, 92.65% of partially condemned liver cases were due to fluke
disease. This confirms the findings of Alonge and Fasanmi (1979) that 94% of the total liver condemnations in
some abattoirs in Northern Nigeria are due to fascioliasis.

According to Ogunrinade (1980) such condemnation could cause a loss of between 2 – 3 % of the annual animal
output in Nigeria. Economic losses from helminthiasis in small ruminants (sheep and goats) increased from $2,
506,000 - $ 107,400,000 in Nigeria (Akerejola, et al., 1979; Schillhorn Vanveen, 1973). The prevalence rate of
fascioliasis in Ikom abattoir could be inferred from the percentages of totally condemned liver cases for the five
year period; 7.35%, 18.58% and 5.77% for cattle, goats and sheep respectively, giving a total of 31.70%. When
compared to the various prevalence rates reported by Meggard (1975), the results of this study are comparable
to the prevalence rates obtained in Sudan and Kenya. This could be attributed to similarities in micro and macro
climates, presence of water snails in forages and Agricultural activities of these African countries. Such rates of
prevalence are expected in tropical climates, since the rainy season favours the survival of the intermediate host,
water snail (Limnae sp.) and helminth parasite (Okon and Enyenihi, 1977; Suarez and Busetti, 1995).

However, the prevalence rate of 31.70% recorded in this study is higher than the 5.66% and 0.88% for the
Northern Guinea Savanna and Jos plateau, respectively as reported by Ogunrinade and Ogunrinade (1980). The
results of this study are slightly different from the report of Munguia-Xochihua et al. (2007) who stated a
moderate percentage of prevalence for fascioliasis in cattle, goats and sheep in Mexico. According to the same
authors the bovine species recorded a prevalence of 11±0.9% using the sedimentation test and 24.4±1.2% for the
indirect ELISA. In goats, a prevalence of 24.5±1.2% was found from faecal analysis and 43.0±1.5% from the
indirect ELISA. While in sheep, the prevalence for both tests was 19.4±2.0% and 30.6±2.7% respectively. This
disparity could be due to differences in vegetation zones and associated climatic variations (Tembely, et al.,
2009) as well as health management of livestock common in a given area.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Fascioliasis is of serious economic importance to the livestock industry, especially in Nigeria where most
livestock farmers are still ignorant of the disease. Ruminant species are all at risk of Fascioliasis infection vis- a
–vis the consuming public by eating improperly cooked beef, mutton or chevon. In order to reduce the
prevalence rate in Ikom and Nigeria in general, all stakeholders should evolve massive control measures like
public enlightenment on the disease, pasture/ range management and elimination of the intermediate host.

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ACKNOWLEGEMENT:
I wish to thank Sar, T.T. and Houmsou, R.S. of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mkar,
Benue State for finding time to critically appraised the manuscript and offered useful comments and
suggestions.

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Received for Publication: 21/04 /2011

Accepted for Publication: 19/05 /2011

Corresponding Author
Ozung, P.O.
Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, P.M.B 1115, Calabar,
E-Mail: Pascalozung@yahoo.com