PREVALENCE OF FASCIOLIASIS IN CATTLE AND SHEEP IN SELECTED ABATTOIRS LOCATED IN MAKURDI

As meat consumption is on the increase worldwide, there are growing concerns about meat hygiene and safety since worldwide distribution of fascioliasis is estimated at 90% in ruminants. The fact that animals susceptible to Fasciola infection are usually reservoir hosts for fasciola species is also a case for concern. This study therefore, was aimed to determine the prevalence of Fascioliasis in selected abattoirs located in Makurdi. A total of 480 livestock found within the confines of 4 abattoirs were examined for liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica) via macroscopic gross examination. The screening exercise was carried out between the 13th of November, 2023 and 13th of January, 2024. The results showed that of the 480 cattle examined, 63(13.13%) were infected. The distribution showed that livestock slaughtered at Wadata abattoirs had the highest infection rate of 22(4.58%) followed by Northbank 18(3.75%), Wurukurn cattle 14(2.92) and Wurukum Piggery 9(1.88%) suggesting that there exist differences in the hygienic status of abattoirs as well as the mode of feeding and water consumption;