Prevalence of Fasciola Hepatica in Cows Slaughtered at Calabar Abattoirs

The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica, a parasitic liver fluke responsible for fascioliasis, poses significant concerns for livestock health and economic losses in the cattle industry. This study investigates the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in cows slaughtered at various abattoirs in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. After making slight incision on infected liver parenchyma and bile duct, pressure was applied close to the point of incision by gently pressing the finger on the carcass liver just at the adjacent site of incision to release the fluke to the exterior. The flukes were collected into sample bottles containing saturated saline solution and transported to faculty of Biological Sciences laboratory of University of Cross River State, Calabar, for examination. Simple statistical method and the Chi square method were used for analysis. A total of 114 cows were examined across three abattoirs: Nkonib, Ikot Eneobong, and Eburutu. Results showed that 17.5% of cows at Nkonib were positive with Fasciola hepatica (7 out of 40cows infected). The Ikot Eneobong abattoir recorded a prevalence of 20.0% positive infection with Fasciola hepatica (8 out of 40cows infected). At the Eburutu abattoir, 20.58% were found to be infected (7 out of 34cows infected). Parasite burden per kilogram of liver weight varied considerably across the abattoirs (P≤0.05), with liver parasite loads ranging from 5 to 30 parasites per kilogram. This variability not only reflects the health status of the cattle but also poses significant implications for food safety. However, across the three abattoirs (Nkonib, Ikot Eneobong, and Eburuttu), the male cows examined expressed a higher infection prevalence of Fasciola hepatica at 85.71%, with no significant difference between the tested cow samples in their sexes (P≥0.05). Overall, these findings underscore the importance of regular veterinary inspection, public awareness campaigns, and improved livestock management practices to mitigate the risks associated with Fasciola hepatica. Enhanced surveillance and control measures are essential for safeguarding public health and ensuring the safety of the meat supply chain in Calabar, Cross River State.