Prevalence of Ovine Fasciolosis in Wolayta Sodo, Southren Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and risk factors associated withfasciolosis Wolayta Sodo, Southern region from October, 2019 to January, 2020. Faecal samples from a total of 384 0vine were subjected to coprological investigation. Based on the coprological examination, the overall prevalence of fasciolosis was 150 (39.06%). High prevalence was recorded in poor body conditioned ovine88% (42.93). However, there was no statistically significant variation among body condition group ( = 1.1134; 2 P>0.05). Prevalence rates based on sex, infection rates of 82% (41.62) and 68% (35.98) in male and female respectively were observed. Statistical analysis of this result shows no significant variation in infection rate between sex ( = 1.1154; P>0.05). When prevalence rate among age groups is considered analysis of data 2 indicates that 82% (41.62) and 68% (35.98) in young and adult respectively. It has statistically significant when get analyzed statistically between age group ( = 54.1337; P < 0.05). The present study revealed that infection 2 of ovine by fasciola was attributed to the presence of favorable environment for the abundance of intermediate host and the parasite.


Species identification of Fasciola is possible both
Ethiopia possess the largest livestock population F. hepatica is a leaf shaped fluke with broader in Africa, with an estimated population of 7.8 million anterior and cone shaped posterior projection. It is equines, 1 million camels, 47.5 million cattle, 39.6 million grayish brown in color changing to gray when chickens, 26.1 million sheep and 21.7 million goats [1].
preserved. The cuticle is armed with sharp spines. In Ethiopia, sheep are the dominant livestock providing The mature adult flukes measure about 2.5-3.5cm in up to 63% of cash income and 23% of food subsistence length and 1cm in width. F. giganticais larger than value obtained from livestock production. Endoparasitic F. hepatica and can reach up to 7.5cm length. The shape infection and management problems are known to be the is more of leaf like, the conical anterior end is very short main factors that affect productivity. The various species and the shoulder characteristic of F. hepatica is barely of gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes, trematodes perceptible [7]. and cestodes are known to be prevalent in Ethiopia [2][3][4].
The disease is found in more water lodged and Fasciolosis is one of the important parasitic diseases marshy grazing filed condition anticipated to be ideal for in tropical and subtropical countries which limit the propagation and maintenance of high prevalence of productivity of ruminants [5]. The disease is caused by fasciolosis. The clinical features of fasciolosis can have digeneantrematodes of the genus Fasciola commonly acute, sub-acute and chronic forms [8]. In Ethiopia, referred to as liver flukes. Fasciola hepatica and F. giganticais found at altitude below 1800 meter above Fasciolagiganticaare the two liver flukes commonly sea level. While F. hepatica is found at altitude between reported to cause fasciolosis in ruminants [6].
grossly and microscopically at the adult level.
Ovine fasciolosis in Ethiopia is very frequent and Study Animals and Sampling Technique: Study causes a significant economic loss in production, population comprises of indigenous ovine of different decrease productivity and loss of body condition and body condition, sex and age category found under the the annual losses were estimated at 48.4 million extensive grazing system. Simple random sampling Ethiopian birr per year, of which 46.5% 48.8% and 4.7% technique was the sampling strategy used to collect all were due to mortality, productivity (weight loss and the necessary data from fecal samples of the study reproductive wastage) and liver condemnation at animals. slaughter respectively [10].
Loss due to fasciolosis is associated with mortality, Sample Size Determination: Sample size was conducted reduced growth rate, reduction in weight gain and using random sampling techniques which ensure the unthriftiness, reduction in working power, condemnation sample is evenly distributed across the study population. in large number of infected livers, increased susceptibility The sample size for the study was calculated using the to secondary infection and expense due to control formula given by Thrusfield [11]. For calculating the measure [10]. required sample size, 95% confidence interval (CI) and In the study area, fasciolosis is the major disease 5% absolute level of precision was used. Since there was which affects sheep production and productivity in the no pervious study conducted on small ruminant past that large numbers of sheep were died out.
fasciolosis in the study area, 50% expected prevalence Therefore, the objectives of this study were; To determining the prevalence of ovine fasciolosis N = 1.962 × Pexp (1-Pexp)/d2 To assessing associated risk factors in WolaytaSodo, Southren Ethiopia where MATERIALS AND METHODS d = Desired absolute precision 0.05,

Study Area Description:
The study was conducted in Based on the above formula, the required sample size WolaytaSodo, Southern Ethiopia from October, 2019 to was 384. January, 2020. The town is located 383 kms southwest with an elevation between 1650 and 2980 meters above Method of Data Collection: Fresh faecal samples were sea level. The town is bounded with Damot Gale Woreda collected directly from the rectum and put in a right to the North, HumboWoreda to the South, Damot Woide sample bottle containing 10% formalin as preservative and Woreda to East; and Damot Sore Woreda to the West.
immediately taken in Sodo regional Laboratory for The annual rain fall and temperature of the area is examination. In the laboratory, faecal sample was screened 1000-1200mm and 25-35°C respectively. The area is for the presence of fasciola egg using sedimentation categorized under WoinaDega agro ecological climate.
technique. While collecting the faecal samples,body The dry season extends from September to February and condition, sex and age of ovine was recorded. the rain season stay from March to August, but sometimes fluctuation of weather condition.
Corpological Examination: There were same laboratory techniques employed, that are directfaecal smear and thoroughly using a glass rod and were poured through a into a conical flask and water was run through the sieve The latter was stained with two drops of methylene blue poor body condition group was higher than the and the entire sediment placed on slide covered with a animals with good body conditions group. However, cover slip and viewed under a compound microscope.
there was no statistically significant variation among Eggs of Fasciola species were identified by their body condition group (x2 = 1.1134; P>0.05). As to the characteristic morphology and colour. To differentiate prevalence rates on sex basis, infection rates of 36% between eggs of Paramphistomum species and and 42% in female and male respectively were Fasciola species, a drop of methylene blue solution was observed. Statistical analysis of this result shows added to the sediment where eggs of Fasciola species no significant variation in infection rate between sex show yellowish colour while eggs of Paramphistomum (x2 = 1.1154; P>0.05). When prevalence rate among age species stain by methylene blue [12]. Samples that were groups is considered analysis of data indicates that not processed within 24 hours were stored in a 42% and 37% in Adult and young respectively. refrigerator at 4°C.
It has statistically significant when get Data Management and Analysis: The raw data that was P < 0.05). inserted in to Microsoft excel spread sheet to create a data base. Then this data was further analyzed by using DISCUSSION Statistical packages of social science (SPSS) version 20 software programs. Finally, the data was summarized with Fascioliosis is an important parasitic disease of tables in accordance to the body condition, sex and age domestic ruminants caused by two liver fluke species: groups. Chi-square test was used to determine the Fasciola hepatica and Fasciolagigantica. Fasciola variation in infection prevalence between body condition, hepatica has a cosmopolitan distribution, mainly in sex and age. temperate zones, while Fasciolagigantica is found Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. determine the presence of significant differences between Prevalence rate of 39.06% in ovine fasciolosis was occurrence of fasciolosis and risk factors. The total found in fecal examination in Wolayta Sodo. This study, prevalence was calculated by dividing the number of however, was not in line with the study that was Fasciola positive animals by the total number of animals conducted in the DebreBirahan area by Asredie and tested or sampled.
Shifaw    The disease is more prevalent in wet and/or rainy Based on the above conclusion, the following seasons where snail hosts are plenty. Moreover, the recommendations are forwarded: difference might be due to the difference of the climatic Integrated approach with a combination of conditions and geographical regions such as rainfall, chemotherapy and vector control should be temperature and humidity. The present study was also considered more practically designed to determine prevalence and assess risk factor Awareness should be created for owners about associated with ovine fasciolosis. It revealed that an disease transmission methods overall prevalence of 39.06% based on coprological Transportation and use of contaminated and infected examinations. The prevalence of the disease in the study feed with metacercaria from disease prevalence areas area might be attributed to the favorable ecological to others should be restricted. factors for snails' intermediate host and the parasite.
Awareness should be enhanced for prevention and In study area, Statistical analysiswere shows no control of the disease. significant variation in infection rate between body Periodic deworming of the animals should be condition and sex.
encouraged. Epidemiologically, the area is favorable for the Animal should be restricted from grazing in development and multiplication of intermediate hosts.
marsheyareas. Generally, the prevalence was strongly associated with Further study on epidemiology, ecology and biology feeding behaviour of ovine.