Vol. 14 No. 135-143 (2023): PREVALENCE OF FASCIOLIASIS INFECTED CATTLE SLAUGHTERED IN GOMBE CENTRAL ABATTOIR

Bovine fasciolosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease of cattle caused by trematodes usually

Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola. hepatica in the tropics. The disease is found in vast water

lodged and marshy grazing field, condition anticipated to be ideal for the propagation and

maintenance of high prevalence of fasciolosis. This disease is widely distributed in areas where

cattle are raised and there is a niche for Lymnaeid snail. A study to determine the prevalence

of fascioliasis in cattle slaughtered at the Gombe central

abattoir was carried out from October 2022 - April 2023. One Thousand faecal sample of four

breeds of cattle between the age of 1-6yrs slaughtered at the abattoir were examined

forfascioliasis at postmortem. The four breeds of cattle were, White Fulani (955), Red Bororo

(19), Sokoto Gudali (8) and Muturu (18). An overall prevalence of 369 (36.9%) was

recorded. The white Fulani breed was the most infected, with a prevalence of 357 (37.4%),

Red Bororo 6 (31.6%), Sokoto Gudali 1 (12.5%) and Muturu 5 (27.8%). Infection by age

and sex revealed that adults had a higher prevalence of 221 (40.8%), young cattle 148

(32.3%). while males had a prevalence of 174 (31.93%) and females 195 (42.80%). These

differences were statistically significant. The study concludes that fascioliasis is prevalent in

cattle in Gombe central abattoir and could be of economic and public health significance.