Prevalence and Economic Importance of Hydatidosis in Cattle Slaughtered at North Gonder Elfora Abattoir

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2011 to April 2012 to assess the status of cystic hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Gondar Elfora abattoir. Out of the total 400 cattle examined visually and manually (palpation and incision), 112 (28%) were found harboring hydatid cysts. A significantly higher infection was detected in older cattle (P<0.05, P2=12.191) than young. Regarding body condition score, no significant variation (P>0.05, P2=2.148) was observed as the prevalence was 36.6% for medium cattle followed by lean (31.7%) and fat (17.6 %). Of the total 112 infected, 45 (40.2%) had hydatid cysts only in the lung, 28 (25%) in the liver while the rest 39 (34.8%) had multiple organ infections. Of the 154 viscera harboring hydatid cysts, the highest (54.5%) was lung followed by liver (43.5%), spleen (1.3%) and heart (0.65%). In addition, out of the total 154 cysts collected, 26 (16.9%) were fertile, 86 (55.8%) sterile and 42 (27.3%) calcified or purulent cysts. There was a significant difference in fertility of cyst from different organs (P<0.05, P2=27.96), those of lung origin being highly fertile. Likewise, out of the 26 fertile cysts subjected for viability test, 8 (30.77) were viable. Considering the current result, the total annual economic loss from organ condemnation and carcass weight loss due to bovine hydatidosis at Gondar Elfora abattoir was estimated at 674,093.038 ETB (1USD= 17.8349 ETB).