Incidence of endemic fascioliasis in animals and estimation of the financial loss due to seizure of livers in Andahuaylas, Peru

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the frequency of fascioliasis in animals slaughtered in slaughterhouses in the province of Andahuaylas and the financial loss due to the seizure of livers. The research was quantitative at a basic level, analytical design, observational type, and cross-sectional. It was carried out between October and December 2016 in the slaughterhouses of the districts of Andahuaylas, San Jerónimo, and Talavera. At the same time, a retrospective study corresponding to the years 2011-2016 was conducted. Fascioliasis was diagnosed through post-mortem sanitary inspection of the viscera. The statistical examination was carried out with the software Epidat 4.2, using Pearson's Chi-square test to verify differences between proportions; and, the t-test to estimate equality of means, assuming a confidence level of 95% and confidence intervals of α = 0,05. Most of the infected animals came from Pampachiri (p < 0,01); the most affected species was bovine (51,9%; 95% CI = 49,9 – 53,9). In the 2011-2016 period, the frequency of fascioliasis was 46% (95% CI = 45,8 – 46,2) with a total financial loss for the seizure of livers of USD 238.551.1. The spring season registered the lowest frequency of fascioliasis and the lowest financial loss (p < 0,01). The most significant losses occurred in 2014, in March and August, in the Talavera slaughterhouse (p < 0,01). The study concludes that Andahuaylas is mesoendemic for fascioliasis but hyperendemic in cattle.