Prevalence of bovine shistosomiasisin fogera district, south gondar zone, amhara national regional state, northwest ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conductedcommencing October 2010 to January 2011 in Fogera Woreda, South Gondar Zone of Amhararegion, Northwestern Ethiopiain order todetermine the prevalence of bovine schistosomiasis. Simple random sampling was used to select the study animals andcoprological examination using sedimentation technique was applied for the recovery of schistosoma eggs from freshly collected fecalsamples. Out of 167 fecal samples examined 17 (10.17%) were found positive for schistosomiasis. There was no statistically significant difference observed (•2=1.506, df=2, p>0.05) among the three peasant associations visited even thoughWagetera showed higher prevalence 8(14.5%) than the other two Peasant associations. Similarly, though 10(12.05%) male and 7(8.33%) female cattle were found positive, therewas statistically insignificant difference observed between the two sexes (•2=0.53, df=1, p>0.05). Nevertheless, there were statistically significant differences appreciatedamongthe three age categories (•2=2.31, df=2, p<0.05). Cattle having less than 2 years, 2-5years and greater than 5 years old had 8(14%), 6(10.9%) and 3(5.4%) prevalencerespectively. Therefore, this study indicated that bovine schistosomiasis is becoming one of the major cattle health problems in the Fogera Woreda. Accordingly, farmers should be advised and educated regarding the franchises of the diseases and its intermediate vectors and also strategic use of anti-helminthics should be practiced to reduce pasture contamination with the fluke eggs. © IDOSI Publications, 2012.