Prevalence, determinants and economic losses due to echinococcosis in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in Webuye Abattoir, Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

Title: Prevalence, determinants and economic losses due to Echinococcosis in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in Webuye abattoir, Bungoma County, Kenya

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonosis, but is of great veterinary, Public health and economic importance. An account of Echinococcosis in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in Webuye abattoir, presence of roaming dogs in Webuye town, practices, minimal knowledge by people on Echinococcosis and economic loss from organ condemnation due to Echinococcosis justified carrying out the study.

Objective: To determine the prevalence, determinants and economic losses due to Echinococcosis in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at Webuye abattoir.

Methods: Study area was Webuye abattoir and Cross sectional study was used in March 15th to 15th April 2015. All cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered were inspected for the presence of Echinococcus cysts. Cysts encountered were recorded and further subjected to fertility and viability tests. A questionnaire whose purpose was to determine risk factors was administered to 15 butchers and 9 flayers. Percentages of Echinococcosis cases were calculated. Economic loss due to organ condemnation was calculated by taking the weight of individual organ and multiplying by its prevailing market value. Statistical package for Social Scientists version 20 and MS Excel were used in data analysis where frequencies and percentages were the outputs. Data was presented using tables, narratives, frequencies, percentages and charts.

Results: A total of 134 head of cattle, 126 sheep and 49 goats were slaughtered and inspected. Hydatid cysts were detected in 31 (23.1%) cattle, 4 (3.2%) sheep and none in goats. A total of 111, 9 and 0 cysts were detected in cattle, sheep and goats respectively. In cattle 89 cysts were fertile and 38 were viable. In sheep 9 cysts were fertile and viable, that indicates risk of transmission. On risk factors, 29.5% of respondents fed dogs on condemned offal, 33% did not confine their dogs, and 37.5% did not deworm their dogs and 54% admitted that no inspection was carried out to meat of livestock slaughtered at home. The total annual economic loss from organs condemnation was estimated to be Ksh. 195, 300 (1,884.2 US Dollars). That was substantial amount.

Conclusion: Prevalence of Echinococcosis in cattle was moderate and low in sheep. Public knowledge on Echinococcosis and its control was low. Annual Economic loss from organ condemnation was substantial. Recommendation: Based on these study findings, abattoir public health measures should be tightened. Regular Public health education awareness programs on Echinococcosis and its control should be conducted. Further research is needed to assess the prevalence of Echinococcosis in humans.