Research Article
Getachew Demissie, Jelalu K
Abstract
The study was carried out from November 2013-April 2014 with the aim of elucidating the prevalence, assess the risk factors and economic significance of hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Kara-alo abattoir, Addis Ababa, involving gross post mortem inspections of organs. Single proportion sample size determination was made to calculate the sample size and a total 768 cattle were randomly inspected. Cyst size, viability test, rate of calcification and fertility as well as sterility was done. In the current study 25.7% (197/768) prevalence of hydatidosis was recorded. The highest prevalence was observed in the lung (19.5%) followed by liver (12.6%) while the least was recorded in the kidney (0.7%). Small sized cysts contribute nearly 18% and the majorities were mixed (79.2%). Non calcified, fertile and viable cysts contributes 55.9%, 39.10% and 37.7%, respectively. Infection of hydatidosis was significantly higher (p<0.05, 0.002) in adults compared to the young cattle. Medium and good body sized cattle were protected from hydatidosis infection compared to poor body condition with a significant difference (P<0.05, 0.0001). Age and body conditions of the animals were found to be the risk factors for hydatidosis infections. The financial loss recorded in the current study was 22010 ETB (USD 1158.105). It can be affirmed that hydatidosis is one of the most economically important cattle disease in the area.