Infection prevalence of hydatidosis (<i>Echinococcus granulosus</i>, Batsch, 1786) in domestic animals in Ethiopia: A synthesis report of previous surveys

Abstract

Hydatidosis/echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus, Batsch, 1786) is considered to be a serious problem for both public health and the livestock economy in Ethiopia. The present paper reviews and summarizes available data on the disease. Abattoir survey data collected over a period of 15 years (1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999) were analyzed to assess the infection prevalence of hydatidosis in domestic animals in three different agroecological zones of Ethiopia. Accordingly, 8036/22,863 (35.15%) cattle, 768/6518 (11.78%) sheep, 36/1753 (4.9%) goats, 70/417 (16.79%) camels and 0/150 (0%) pigs slaughtered in 21 different abattoirs located in various parts of the country were found harbouring hydatid cysts. A statistical discernible significant difference (p<0.001) was observed in the overall hydatidosis infection prevalence between the different species of animals, and in infection prevalence of bovine hydatidosis in the three agroecological zones where the slaughtered cattle were believed to originate from. Similarly, a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) in the prevalence of ovine hydatidosis was observed between mid-altitude and lowland agroecologies. Conversely, there was no significant difference (p>0.20) in the infection prevalence of caprine hydatidosis between mid-altitude and lowlands. The present study reconfirms that hydatid disease is widespread and highly prevalent in ruminant livestock in Ethiopia and warrants institution of a nation-wide control measures. Considerations on experiences of other countries with respect to the economic benefits that hydatid disease control programs may bring to livestock producers and combining such efforts with other zoonosis control schemes in view of the 'one health' initiative is worthy for animal health planners and policy decision-makers. The paper also serves as a quick reference source on hydatidosis in the country and basis for future studies.

A Systematic Review of the Epidemiology of Echinococcosis in Domestic and Wild Animals

“…Seasonal variations in hydatidosis prevalence were also recorded through abattoir meat inspection [46], [47]. Other environmental factors found associated with CE in livestock were high altitudes and increasing annual rainfall [44], [48].…”

“…Small ruminants have frequently been observed showing high rates of infection [47], [63], with sheep registering higher risk of infection compared to goats [51], [54], [57]. Cattle have also been identified in many studies as bearing the highest prevalence of CE of those observed in farm species [40], [44], [48], [64]–[66]. A study reported camels as the domestic intermediate host most likely to be infected, although cattle were recorded with the highest cyst intensity [47].…”

“…Therefore, both prevalence and abundance of hydatid cysts increase with age in intermediate hosts [134]. Alternatively, particular husbandry practices associated with age could explain the large prevalence reported in some farm species, like cattle and camels in Ethiopia [48].…”

Echinococcus granulosus: Epidemiology and state-of-the-art of diagnostics in animals

“…A recent study of risk factors for intermediate host infection classified these broadly at the environmental, production system and animal level (Otero-Abad and . Most 'environmental factors' were due to spatial variation in the prevalence of infection (Ahmadi, 2005;Azlaf and Dakkak, 2006;Banks et al, 2006;Lahmar et al, 2007a;Acosta-Jamett et al, 2010b;Manfredi et al, 2013), although seasonal (AnsariLari, 2005;Daryani et al, 2007;Ibrahim, 2010), climatic (Acosta-Jamett et al, 2010b) and geographic (Fromsa and Jobre, 2011) effects have also been identified in some studies (although some of these conclusions are based on univariable analysis and therefore some apparent associations may be due to confounding). Extensive management systems have also been found to be associated with porcine CE infection (Sharma et al, 2004;Bruzinskaite et al, 2009).…”

Helminth parasites in the endangered Ethiopian wolf,Canis simensis

“…Echinococcus granulosus is highly prevalent in Ethiopia, and both sheep and goats commonly act as intermediate hosts (for a review see Kassa, 2012). Data from slaughterhouses in Robe, located approximately 30 km east of BMNP, suggest that the prevalence of E. granulosus in sheep is greater than 60% (Fromsa & Jobre, 2011). Local livestock herders commonly graze sheep and goats inside the BMNP (e.g.…”