Bovine Cysticercosis Prevalence and Public Health Significance in the Haramaya Municipal Abattoir, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Aim
This study was conducted by using the protocols of post-mortem examinations of meat (visual inspection) to determine the
prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in the cattle slaughtered at Haramaya Municipal Abattoir, Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia and to
determine zoonotic significance of taeniasis.
Method
A cross-section study design was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021, based on routine meat inspection on simple
randomly selected cattle slaughtered at the abattoir. Visual inspection of all exposed surface was made in all active organs. They
are shoulder muscles, hearts, masseters (cheek muscle), diaphragms, tongues and livers. This is followed by incision of all those
organs to be examined for Cysticercus bovis cysts.
Results
Twenty-one (21) of the 384 cattle examined utilizing the post-mortem examinations meat inspection methodology were positive
for C. bovis, resulting in a prevalence of 5.5 %. The masseter muscle (11.5 %) had the highest prevalence of cysts, followed by the
triceps (8.3%), heart (5.8%), liver (4.8 %), and tongue (2.9 %). The sex-based prevalence rates were 10 (3.4%) and 11 (12.1%), respectively. The predominance of bodily condition was found to be good (1.3%), medium (11.1%), and bad (50 %). The prevalence
male and female e differed substantially by organ, sex, and bodily condition (p>0.05), but not statistically significant by age of the
animals (young 2.8% vs. adult 6.1%) (p>0.05). Eight (20%) of the total 40 interviewees had contracted Taenia saginata infection at
least once in their lives. Religion showed a significant difference (p>0.05) (Christian 66.7% and Muslim 6.5%). However, there was
no statistically significant difference in meat consumption habits (raw 31.6% vs. cooked 9.5%), sex (male 26.5% vs. female 11.8%),
age (young 33.3% vs. adult 17.7%), educational status (illiterate 22.2% vs. elementary 14.3% vs. high school 27.3% vs. college
16.7%) or latrine use (proper users 19.4% and non-proper users 25%).
Conclusion
This study to increasing public awareness of the disease, as well as strict routine meat inspections, should be prioritized in order
to decrease the parasite's impact.