Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 – March 2014 at Jimma municipal abattoir with the
aim of investigating the prevalence, fertility and viability of the hydatid cyst and economic losses due to liver
and lung condemnation and to access the knowledge of the community about bovine hydatidosis. Out of the total
384 examined cattle 118 (30.7%) cattle were found harboring one or more hydatid cyst in their lung and liver.
From examined animals 113(29.4%), 36(9.4%) and 32 (8.3%) contained hydatid cyst in their lung, liver and in
both lung and liver, respectively. Lung was the most predominantly affected organ followed by the liver. From
710 cysts collected from lung 120 (16.9%), 546(76.9%), 44(6.1%) were found to be small, medium and large
respectively. Out of 197 cysts collected from liver 121(61.7%) were small size and 75(38.3%) was found to be
medium sized. Higher number of large and medium size cyst were found in lung and small cysts were
predominant in liver. From the 78 cysts only 28(35.8%) cyst of lung were found to be fertile and 50(64.2%) of
them were infertile (sterile) and 19(24.5%) of them were found to be viable. Age had a significant effect on the
occurrence of bovine hydatidosis and high prevalence was recorded in older animals. However, sex and breed
didn’t show any difference of statistical significance (P>0.05). In the current study, only (20.65%) of the
participants had an awareness of echinococcosis or hydatidosis and only 18.5% of the respondents knew as the
disease was zonotic disease and the rest 81.5% of participants do not know whether the disease is zoonotic or not.
In this questioner survey, level of awareness was significantly different among age groups of the respondents and
adult respondents had more awareness than the rest (p=0.04). The annual financial losses from organ
condemnation due to hepato-pulmonary bovine hydatidosis at Jimma municipal abattoir were estimated to be
94485.60 ETB or 4972.93USD. The present study showed that hepato- pulmonary bovine hydatidosis is
prevalent in Jimma area. Factors like presence of more stray dogs that visits the abattoir ground and fed on
condemned organs, low public awareness about hydatidosis and backyard slaughtering favors the disease
transmission in this area. Public health measures such as control of stray dogs and strengthening of meat
inspection services at abattoirs should be practiced.
