Co-infection of fasciolosis and hydatidosis in cattle at Jimma Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia: Prevalence, risk factors, and economic impact

Parasitic infections of slaughtered animals have a significant public health importance and cause great economic losses. Zoonotic helminths are commonly transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat of infected animals. However, information on co-infections of major zoonotic parasites in cattle is limited in the study area. Abattoirs are vital for gathering information on zoonotic animal diseases and protecting the public from consuming infected or unhygienic meat. A cross-sectional abattoir study was conducted from November 2023 to July 2024 to estimate the prevalence of co-infections, associated risk factors, and economic losses due to infected organ condemnations in cattle at Jimma Municipal Abattoir, Oromia, Ethiopia. Simple random sampling was used to select the study animals. Prevalence was determined based on records of parasitic infections detected through postmortem examination findings. A total of 384 animals were examined, with an overall co-infection prevalence of 14.3% (95% CI: 11—18); hydatidosis was the most prevalent, followed by fascioliasis at (17.1%, 95% CI: 14—21) and (14.3%, 95% CI: 11—18), respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica was 4.4% (95% CI: 2.7—7.1), followed by F. gigantica at 1.8% (95% CI: 0.9—3.8). Cyst fertility assessment of 66 cysts showed 20 viable, along with 18 sterile, 8 calcified, 11 non-viable, and 9 mixed (non-viable and viable) cysts. Males had twice the odds of co-infection than females, but this association was not statistically significant (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 0.57—4.91). The total monetary loss due to co-infections, in terms of organ condemnation, was estimated at 54,000,000 ETB (approximately 432,000 USD (using 1 USD = 125 ETB). No assessed risk factors (sex, age, body condition score (BCS), breed, and origin) showed a statistically significant association with co-infection status. This study revealed the presence of co-infections of fasciolosis and echinococcosis in cattle in the study area, which contribute to significant economic losses. Therefore, appropriate control and prevention measures should be strengthened to reduce infection and associated losses.