Prevalence and associated risk factors assessment of bovine fasciolosis in and around Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Bovine fasciolosis is a parasitic disease of cattle caused by ingesting metacercariae of liver flukes from the genus Fasciola. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to April 2022, encompassing a total of 384 cattle randomly selected from diverse locations. The study included cattle of various ages and genders, aiming to to determine the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and its associated risk factors in and around Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Fecal examinations were performed to detect fluke eggs, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in STATA Version 20.0 to summarize bovine fasciolosis prevalence. Chi-square tests assessed relationships with infection rates and risk factors, with significance set at P < 0.05. Out of 384 fecal samples analyzed, 49.21% tested positive for Fasciola eggs. Origin areas included Tikurit (50%), Sebatamit (61.84%), Latammba (27.65%), and Kebele 11 (59.37%). Cattle in poor condition showed higher prevalence (64%) compared to those in medium (50%) and fat condition (26.96%). Age showed differences with young cattle at 50.38%, adults at 47.33%, and old cattle at 50.47%. Sex distribution indicated 49.73% prevalence in males and 48.73% in females. Regarding breed, local cattle had a prevalence of 51.62%, while crossbreeds showed 46.15%. Significant variations were observed based on locality and body condition, whereas age, sex, and breed showed no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Despite these differences, bovine fasciolosis remains prevalent in the area. Enhancing farmer awareness, regular deworming, and effective management are crucial to control the disease and reduce economic losses.