European Journal of Biological Sciences 4 (2): 53-59, 2012 ISSN 2079-2085 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ejbs.2012.4.2.63172 Corresponding Author: Abadi Amare, School of Veterinary Medicine, Wollo University, P.O. Box: 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia. 53 Prevalence and Economic Losses of Bovine Fasciolosis in Dessie Municipal Abattoir, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia Ephrem Belay, Wassie Molla and Abadi Amare 1 1 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia 2 Abstract: A cross sectional study was carried out from October 2010 to March 2011 with the objectives of determining the prevalence, risk factor and economic importance of bovine fasciolosis in Dessie municipal abattoir. Over all prevalence of 25.2% (126 of 500) was observed. Based on origins of animals, prevalence rates of 30.51%, 28.4%, 25.81% and 19.77% were recorded in Kutaber, Worehimmenu, Dessie Zuria and Tewulederae, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the four study areas. Young animals were found with high prevalence (33.33%) followed by old animals (26.11%) and adult animals (24.7%). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence in the different age groups of animals. Prevalences of 63.29%, 18.62% and 17.75% were observed in animals of poor body condition, good body condition and medium body condition, respectively. The difference between the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in animal of different body conditions was statistically significant (p<0.05). Of 126 infected livers, 65.9%, 18.25%, 9.5% and 6.34% were infected with F.hepatica, F.gigantica, mixed and immature flukes, respectively. The prevalence of Fasciola species is different in different study areas and the highest prevalence of F. hepatica was observed in Kutaber (20.34%) followed by Dessie Zuria (17.74%) and the highest prevalence of F.gigantica was observed in Worehimmenu (9.88%) followed by Kutaber (2.54%). The direct and indirect losses incurred due to fasciolosis in Dessie municipal abattoir were estimated about 2,495,346.13 ETH Birr. It is concluded that fasciolosis is prevalent in cattle in the study area. Hence, this disease disserves serious attention by the various stake holders in order to promote the beef industry in the study area in particular and in general in the country. Key words: Bovine Dessie Municipal Abattoir Economic Loss Fasciolosis Prevalence INTRODUCTION A review of available literature strongly suggests that Among many parasitic problems of farm animals, regarded as one of the major setbacks to livestock fasciolosis is a major disease, which imposes direct and productivity incurring huge direct and indirect losses in indirect economic impact on livestock production, the country. Available published reports have indicated particularly of sheep and cattle [1, 2]. Fasciola hepatica that bovine fasciolosis causes economic losses of and Fasciola gigantica are the two liver flukes commonly roughly 350 million Birr per annum due to decreased reported to cause fasciolosis in ruminants. The life cycle productivity alone [7]. More recently, Tolosa et al. [8] and of these trematodes involves snail as an intermediate Fufa et al. [9] have reported financial losses of 6300 USD host [3]. The disease is responsible for considerable and 4000 USD per annum, respectively due to liver economic losses in the cattle industry, mainly through condemnations at slaughter houses in Ethiopia. mortality, liver condemnation, reduced production of Although a number of studies have been undertaken meat, milk and wool and expenditures for anthelmintics with regard to abattoir based prevalence and evaluation [4, 5]. Apart from its veterinary and economic importance of the economic loss due to fasciolosis in different parts throughout the world, fasciolosis has recently been of Ethiopia [10-13], very little has been done in south shown to be a re-emerging and widespread zoonosis Wollo zone of the Amhara regional state of the country affecting many people [6]. particularly Dessie area. Therefore, the objectives of the fasciolosis exists in almost all parts of Ethiopia. It is