Prevalence of Fascioliasis and Dicrocoeliasis in Cattle Slaughtered in Some Abattoirs in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out in March-May 2019 to investigate the prevalence of fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis in cattle slaughtered in parts of Akure abattoir, Ondo State, Nigeria. Two hundred (200) bile samples from cattle were collected from both male and female cattle. The parasitological analysis of the bile sample was carried out by sedimentation technique. Prevalence of Fasciola gigantica was (50.5%) for Dicrocoelium hospes was 16.0% and double infections accounted for (5.5%). Prevalence of Fasciola gigantica infections was high in female cattle (57.7%) compared to their male counterparts (38.9%). For Dicrocoelium hospes, the infection was higher in male (18.2%) than in the female (14.6%) while the prevalence of double infections was higher in males (7.8%) than in the females (4.07). The high infection rate for Fasciola gigantica (84.0%) and Dicrocoelium hospes (62.0%) was found to be high at Busa abattoir. Double infection was observed to be high at Oke-Odu abattoir (10%) than in other abattoirs while no infection was observed at Bola meat abattoir. Overall age prevalence of fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis (82.8%) was within the age bracket of 9-10yrs while the least infection (54.2%) fall within the age bracket of 7-8yrs. Prevalence of fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis in Sannia breed was 90.2% followed by the Ambala breed (84.0%) while the least was 31.2% in the White Fulani breed. This study which revealed a high prevalence of fascioliasis and dicrocoeliasis among cattle slaughtered in the studied abattoir possesses a threat to healthy livestock productions and it is significant public health importance. Adequate measures to improving the veterinary services are needed to put in place to reduce the economic losses accruing to these infections.