Prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in selected dairy farms of Addis ababa, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study on the prevalence of bovine Fasciolosis was carried out in selected dairy farms of in and around Addis Abeba of Ethiopia, aiming at determining the prevalence of fasciolosis. The farms are found in four sub-cities, locally called Kifile Ketemas. The dairy farms were under intensive and semi-intensive management systems. A total of 384 cattle were randomly selected and sampled which accounts for 95% (N=365) and 5% (N=19) of the samples for intensive and semi-intensive dairy farms, respectively. Fecal samples were examined using the direct fecal microscopic examination and Benedict's sedimentation tests. Out of the total (N=384) samples examined, 57 samples were found to be positive using both tests, giving a prevalence of 14.84% (N=57). Other parameters such as management, sex, age and body condition score were also taken into consideration. The results indicated a moderate percentage of prevalence for fasciolosis in those selected sites of Addis Abeba. The prevalence of fasciolosis between study areas (kifeleketemas) was 52.63% (N=30) in Yeka, 33.33% (N=19) in Bole, 10.35% (N=6) in Gullele and 3.51 (N=2) in Kality area. The prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in Yeka was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the prevalence of the other three sub-cities. Statistically significant deference (P<0.05) was observed among sexes, 44.44% (N=4) being in males, semi-intensively managed cattle 63% (N=12) and the overall infection prevalence was higher 20.37% (N=33))  in animals categorized under body condition score 2 (thin) than animals categorized under body condition score 3, 4, and 5  in which BCS 2 accounts 20.37% (N=33) of the total positive animals, BCS 3 accounts 7.19% (N=11), BCS 4 accounts 17.77% (N=8) and BCS 5 accounts 20.83% (N=5) of the total animals sampled. No statistically significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between age groups.