Epidemiology and control of fasciolosis in cattle in imbo region, Burundi

Abstract

Fasciolosis is a significant zoonotic parasitic disease which affecting animals and humans globally. It reduces the productivity in the ruminants, however, there is a scarcity of information on the epidemiology of fasciolosis and associated risk factors in animals in Burundi. Therefore, the aim of this current research work was to dress the knowledge gap regarding the lmbo region of Burundi through a two-stage approaches: first, by detennining the level of knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding fasciolosis infection among farmers, and perception and practices among veterinary professionals. Second, by investigating the occurrence and risk elements associated with the fasciolosis infection. Two structured questionnaires were used to survey 168 farmers and 26 veterinary professionals who were randomly selected. Fresh stool from the rectum of 426 cattle was collected for microscopic examination, and a questionnaire focused on an individual animal was utilized to collect supplementary information regarding cattle identification and risk elements associated with the disease. Liver fluke examinations were conducted on 467 cattle in abattoirs. Results among surveyed farmers showed that 57.7% knew fasciolosis or “UMURAGU” in the local language, but only 28.6 % knew its causes. Among farmers, 40.5% indicated that they knew cattle could be infected by fasciolosis, and only 0.6% indicated that humans could get the infection. Among surveyed veterinary professionals, only 39% indicated that they had a record-keeping book of parasitic infections, and, 65.4 % indicated that fasciolosis is classified among the top two diseases caused by parasites based on frequency of occurrence and magnitude of economic losses in cattle. The prevalence rate of fasciolosis in cattle was 47.7% (42.9 - 52.4, 95% CI) through microscopic examination tools and 33.2% (28.9 - 37.5, 95 CI) through postmortem examinations. Most of the infected cattle (60.6%) had light intensity infections as measured by eggs per gram of feces (epg). In addition, postmortem examinations confirmed this finding by showing that most of the infected cattle (80%) had light intensity infections. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant association (P<0.05) between bovine fasciolosis and cattle-related factors such as age, sex, and origin, as well as the management practices of cattle owners. This current study further indicated that farmers demonstrated low to moderate levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning fasciolosis infection. Moreover, the findings confinned that fasciolosis is highly endemic in the lmbo region, which could continue to cause a potential public health risk given its Zoonotic character.