Prevalence and Economic Implication of Liver Fluke Infestation On Sheep, Goats and Cattle (A Case Study of Damaturu Modern Abattoir)

Abstract

A preliminary estimate of liver condemnation due to liver fluke infestation in sheep, goats and cattle was made between January, 2024 to December, 2024 in Yobe State. The study was to determine the prevalence and implication of the loss on the state economy in particular and the national economy in general. Fecal samples were collected from the rectum of slaughtered sheep, goats and cattle and analyzed by direct smear methods for the prevalence of liver flucke infestation.  A monthly record of actual slaughter at the Yobe modern abattoir in Damaturu the state capital revealed a total of 143, 118 heads of cattle, 116, 304 sheep and 210,991 goats were slaughtered during the period under review. An estimate ₦5,396,795.00 was lost to liver fluke during the period of study. Of this estimate loss, cattle accounted for ₦4,932,000.00 (92.3%), sheep accounted for ₦247,000.00 (65%) and goats accounted for ₦167,195.00 (3.1%) were lost recorded during slaughtered, particularly during festival and ceremonies, or during seasonal migration, the above estimate is grossly low as compared to the prevalence of the liver flucke infestation.