ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 4, April 2026 | pp. 25–32
DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/100004
Article Type: Full Length Research Paper
Title: Bovine schistosomiasis in slaughtered livestock: Abattoir-based prevalence, pathological changes, and economic loss estimations in central Ethiopia
Names of Authors: Tadesse F. Bekele¹, Mekonnen D. Alemu², Ephrem G. Wolde¹
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia. ²National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
Abstract: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease causing severe organ damage and economic setbacks in domestic ruminants. A comprehensive abattoir survey was carried out over a four-month period to determine the prevalence, macroscopic lesion profiles, and financial losses associated with bovine schistosomiasis at municipal abattoirs in central Ethiopia. Post-mortem inspection and systematic mesenteric blood vessel examination of 1120 slaughtered cattle revealed an overall infection prevalence of 27.5 percent (n = 308). The predominant parasite species recovered was Schistosoma bovis. Pathological evaluation of infected viscera demonstrated chronic interstitial hepatitis, extensive pipe-stem fibrosis of portal tracts, and chronic catarrhal enteritis with mucosal thickening and petechial haemorrhages. Organs condemned due to severe parasitic lesions included livers (18.4 percent of total carcasses) and intestines (9.1 percent). Comparative carcass weight analysis showed a mean weight reduction of 14.8 kilograms in heavily infected animals compared to uninfected cohorts of similar age groups (P < 0.001). Total annual direct financial loss resulting from liver and intestinal condemnation across the studied abattoirs was estimated at 1.42 million Ethiopian Birr. The high infection rates and associated organ pathologies demonstrate that bovine schistosomiasis remains an active threat to livestock productivity, necessitating strategic control measures targeting intermediate aquatic snail habitats along river basins.
Keywords: Bovine schistosomiasis, Schistosoma bovis, Abattoir survey, Pathology, Financial loss, Ethiopia
Manuscript Timeline: Received: 05 January 2010; Revised: 04 February 2010; Accepted: 03 March 2010; Published: 12 April 2010
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