A Retrospective Study on The Prevalence of Fasciola Infection in Sheep and Goats at Slaughter and Associated Economic Losses from Condemnation of Infected Liver in Maiduguri Abattoir, Nigeria

A retrospective study on the prevalence of fasciolosis among small ruminants (sheep and goats) slaughtered at Maiduguri, metropolitan abattoir and the associated economic losses from condemnation of infected liver were estimated between January 2004 – December2009. Out of the 15, 113 sheep and 9, 617 goats examined during the period, 123(0.49%) and 70(0.28%) were infected with fasciolosis respectively. There was no statistical variation (P>0.05) on theprevalence of infection between the two species of ruminants. However, according to age, out of the 3, 959 young sheep and 4, 417 young goats (12 months) and goats examined, 103(0.68%) and 63(0.66%) were infected respectively. Among the sheep, the adults were found to be moreinfected than the young. Statistically, the difference was significant (p0.05) existed between age groups. According to sex, out of the 7, 097 male sheep and 4, 839 male goats examined, 56(0.37%) and 25(0.26%) were infected with fasciolosis respectively. Similarly, out of the 8, 016 female sheep and 4, 778 female goats examined, 67(0.44%) and 45(0.47%) were infected respectively. Among sheep, both male and female were equally infected (p>0.05). The difference was not significant. According to season, both sheep and goats were more infected during the rainy than the dry season. The difference was statistically significant (p