Economic assessment of losses due to parasitic diseases common at the Maiduguri abattoir, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 250 cattle claughtered at Maiduguri abattoir were examined, random sampling to ascertain the rate and level of meat condemnation due to fascioliasis, hydatidosis and cysticercosis.  202 (80.8%) of the cattle examined were confirmed positive for infection.  Data on estimated losses in Naira equivalent and condemnation in weight (kg) showed that fascioliasis had 539.41kg, hydatidosis, 268.0kg and cysticercosis 483.19kg with an estimated economic value of N188, 804, N93, 800 and N169, 116 for fascioliasis, hydatidosis and cycticercosis respectively.  Female cattle were found to be highly infected with condemnation weight of 975.69kg equaling N341, 491.5k compared to male cattle with 314.94kg equivalent to N110, 229.  Condemnations from white Fulani cattle were more (712.55kg = N249, 392.5k) compared to that from red Mbororo with 578.08kg (N202, 328.00). The significance of the above findings is herewith discussed.