Bovine Fasciolosis: Prevalence and Economic Significance in Southern Ethiopia

2 Abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to May 2013 on Bovine fasciolosis in and around WolaitaSoddo, Southern Ethiopia. Coprological and postmortem examinations were used at Soddo municipal abattoir to assess its prevalence and economic importance. From the total of 384 cattle examined 15.9% (61) and 20.3% (78) were found positive by coprological and postmortem examinations, respectively. The prevalence of Bovine fasciolosis in the study area was significantly (p 0.05) affected by origin and months of the year. Examination of the liver and the bile-duct of animals during postmortem inspection were the most reliable methods to discover liver fluke infection. Fasciola hepatica was found to be the predominant (42.3%) species in the study area. The economic significance of Bovine fasciolosis was also assessed from condemned liver and carcass weight loss. The total annual economic loss from fasciolosis was estimated to be 3,711,246 ETB ($201,111.5). Therefore, it can be concluded that fasciolosis is highly prevalent and economically important disease in the area. Implementation of control and prevention strategy is mandatory.