Fasciolosis in sheep and goats slaughtered at abattoirs in Central Ethiopia and associated financial losses

Fasciolosis is a serious animal health problem in Ethiopia where livestock is crucial for the domestic economy. A study was conducted in two Ethiopian abattoirs to estimate the prevalence of Fasciola infection in goats and sheep, and the monetary losses resulting from liver condemnation. Post-mortem examination of 925 animals (424 sheep and 501 goats) were examined by incision of the liver parenchyma for presence of the liver fluke, Fasciola. The direct financial losses were calculated based on the estimated prevalence, the market price of the liver, and the average number of sheep and goats slaughtered annually. The overall prevalence of fasciolosis was 10.4% (20.7% sheep and 1.6% goats). Among the studied variables, species of the study animal and age in sheep showed a statistically significant association with infection (p