Major Causes of Organ Condemnation and Their Financial Losses in Cattle Slaughtered at Jinka Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Background

Organ condemnation in slaughterhouses poses significant public health and economic challenges, particularly in regions reliant on livestock. In southern Ethiopia, and specifically in Jinka, there is limited information on the causes and financial repercussions of this issue.

Objectives

This research aims to fill that gap by pinpointing the main pathological causes and calculating the economic losses associated with cattle slaughtered at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out on 384 cattle at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir to identify the primary reasons for organ condemnation and to estimate the direct financial losses from condemned organs. Ante‐mortem examinations were conducted to evaluate clinical signs and body condition, while post‐mortem inspections identified lesions leading to organ condemnation. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine prevalence and estimate economic losses based on local organ market prices. A chi‐squared test was used to examine the relationship between outcomes and risk factors.

Results

Among the 384 cattle assessed, 46.5% exhibited clinical abnormalities during ante‐mortem inspection, with depression and nasal discharge being the most prevalent (12.2% each). Most cattle had medium body condition scores (43.8%). Post‐mortem inspections revealed that 18.6% had condemned organs, primarily livers (7.8%), lungs (5.0%) and hearts (2.6%). Fasciolosis, bruising and abscesses were the leading causes. Organ condemnation rates did not show a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) with age, origin and body condition score. The estimated annual financial loss amounted to 56,150 Ethiopian Birr.

Conclusions

Fasciolosis and other preventable conditions are significant contributors to organ condemnation and economic loss at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir. Enhancing animal health practices, conducting regular veterinary checks and ensuring proper disposal of condemned organs are crucial to minimizing losses and preventing the transmission of zoonotic diseases.

This study identifies fasciolosis and hydatidosis as significant causes of organ condemnation in cattle at Jinka Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia, with an overall rejection rate of 18.6%. The estimated annual economic loss from these diseases is 56,150 ETB. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved disease management strategies and meat inspection practices to enhance cattle health and economic stability for farmers in the region.

1. Introduction

Developing countries have about two‐thirds of the world's livestock population, but their meat and milk production is less than a third of the world's. Ethiopia has a large livestock population in Africa, with an estimated 44,318,877 cattle, 23,619,720 sheep and 23,325,113 goats. However, some constraints hinder the potential of livestock production, including traditional management systems, limited genetic potential, a lack of appropriate disease control policy and veterinary services. Due to these and related factors, each year, significant economic losses result from the condemnation of edible organs and carcasses, which were estimated from different abattoirs of the country (Torgerson and Budke 2003). Parasitic diseases are considered a major health problem and cause a significant economic loss in countries where livestock production is an important segment of the agricultural practice. Major parasitic diseases such as fasciolosis, hydatid cyst, cysticercosis and other organ condemnation causes like abscess and cirrhosis cause a significant economic loss by lowering the productivity of cattle and condemnation of edible organs (Amene et al. 2012; Semie et al. 2015).

Abattoirs are good sources of valuable information on the incidence of animal diseases and conditions. Prevalence of less acute, chronic and mild diseases with no clinical signs can be detected at slaughterhouses. An abattoir is a focal point to detect diseases of public health importance, such as TB, cysticercosis, hydatidosis, fasciola and other pathological lesions (Alam et al. 2022; Alembrhan and Hayegebrie 2013; A. Hussein et al. 2016; B. Hussein et al. 2011). As a result, if such information is well documented, it will aid in developing strategies to control the disease of animals and humans (Yalew et al. 2016). The primary aim of an abattoir is to produce healthy meat, wholesome and clean products which are safe for human consumption (Budke et al. 2006). It also provides information on the epidemiology of diseases in livestock to know to what extent the public is exposed to certain zoonotic diseases and estimate the financial losses incurred through condemnation of affected edible organs and carcasses (Dechasa et al. 2012).

As meat is the main source of protein for humans, it should be clean and free from diseases of particular importance to the public, such as tuberculosis, hydatidosis, cysticercosis and fasciolosis (Demeke et al. 2016). Meat in the slaughterhouse is condemned to break down the chain of zoonoses that are not directly transmitted by meat, like hydatidosis, for aesthetic values caused by disease and mechanical damage at the slaughterhouse (Berbersa et al. 2016). The purpose of meat inspection is to protect public health and to provide risk‐free products to society. Also, it provides information that can be utilized for animal disease control. Meat inspection as part of the veterinary public health activities ensures the delivery of hygienically processed meat for public consumption while preventing the transmission of infectious and zoonotic diseases to humans (Amsayas Tsolo 2021).

Abattoirs serve as critical surveillance points for detecting subclinical and chronic diseases that may not be evident during an animal's life. Through systematic ante‐mortem and post‐mortem inspections, abattoirs provide valuable epidemiological data that can inform disease control strategies and ensure the safety of meat for human consumption (Asseged et al. 2004; Fulako 2004). Despite this, there is limited published data on the prevalence and economic impact of organ condemnation in southern Ethiopia, particularly in areas like Jinka.

This study was conducted to fill that gap by identifying the major causes of organ condemnation and estimating the associated financial losses in cattle slaughtered at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir. This study hypothesizes that parasitic and pathological conditions are the primary contributors to organ condemnation and result in significant economic losses in the region.

Therefore, the objectives of the study were to identify the major causes of organ condemnation at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir and to assess the direct economic losses due to the condemnation of organs

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Animals

The study animals were cattle that had been brought to the Jinka municipality abattoir from different districts for slaughter purposes.

2.2. Data Collection Procedures

2.2.1. Study Design and Sampling Method

A cross‐sectional study design was employed using systematic random sampling to determine the major causes of organ condemnation and to estimate the direct financial implications or economic losses. Every nth animal presented for slaughter was selected until the required sample size was reached.

2.2.2. Sample Size Determination

The required sample size was calculated based on the expected prevalence of 50%, absolute desired precision of 5% and at the confidence level of 95% according to the formula provided by Thrusfield as follows:

n = $\frac{{1.96}^2\mathrm{Pexp}(1-\mathrm{Pexp})}{d^2}$ Therefore, a total of 384 study animals were included in this study.

2.2.3. Inspection Protocols

Ante‐mortem inspections were conducted within 24 hours of arrival, assessing general behaviour, cleanliness and clinical signs (depression, local swelling nasal discharge, coughing and etc). Post‐mortem inspections involved visual examination, palpation and systematic incisions of liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and tongue to detect lesions (fasciolosis, hydatidosis and cysticercosis) and pathological changes. Judgments followed the manual on meat inspection for developing countries (Herendra et al. 1994). Organs were condemned if they exhibited parasitic lesions (e.g., Fasciola hepatica, hydatid cysts and Cysticercus bovis), pathological changes (abscesses, calcification, haemorrhage and nephritis) and/or mechanical damage or aesthetic defects compromising food safety.

2.2.4. Ante‐Mortem Examination

Each week, 3 days were visited for ante‐mortem inspection on individual animals, while the animals were entered into the lairage and in mass after they were entered into the lairage within 24 h of their arrival at the slaughterhouse/abattoir. Both sides of the animals were inspected at rest and in motion. Moreover, the general behaviour of the animals, cleanness and signs of diseases and abnormality of any type were recorded according to the standard ante‐mortem inspection procedures, and animals fit for slaughter were passed.

2.2.5. Post‐Mortem Examination

Post‐mortem examination involved visual inspection, palpation and making systemic incisions of visceral organs, particularly liver, lung, heart, tongue, spleen and kidney to look for the presence of cysts such as hydatid cyst, C. bovis and adult parasites, for example, fasciola. Pathological lesions or disease conditions of these parasites were differentiated.

2.3. Assessment of Financial Loss

The estimation of financial losses was based on the annual slaughter capacity (2500 cattle/year), average organ prices obtained from local butchers (liver: 200 ETB, lung: 50 ETB, kidney: 80 ETB, heart: 100 ETB, tongue: 30 ETB) and observed rejection rates. The market prices of organs in Jinka town were obtained from abattoir workers and butchers. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying organ prices and annual slaughter rates by ±10% to assess the impact on total economic loss. Thus,

$$\text{EL}=\sum \text{Srx}\times \text{Coy}\times \text{Roz}$$

where:

• EL = annual economic loss estimated due to organ condemnation

• ∑Srx = annual cattle slaughter rate of the abattoir

• Сoy = average cost of each cattle organ

• Roz = condemnation rates of cattle organs

2.4. Data Management and Analysis

Data generated from ante‐mortem examination and post‐mortem meat inspection were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and summarized by descriptive statistical methods. The process of coding, cleaning and validating was done on this sheet. Furthermore, the table will be regenerated to explain the results in an illustrative way. The annual financial loss will be calculated manually with the aforementioned formula. The association between condemnation rates of specific organs, by risk factors of age and body condition, was evaluated by Pearson's chi‐square (χ ²).

3. Results

3.1. Ante‐Mortem Examination

During ante‐mortem examination of animals at Jinka Municipal Abattoir, out of 384 examined cattle, 105, 183 and 96 were young, adult and old, respectively. In terms of geographical distribution, 20.1% of cattle brought to the abattoir were from Jinka, and 79.88% were from other areas. They had medium body condition, 168 (43.8%), followed by good and poor body conditions, 138 (35.9%) and 78 (20.3%), respectively (Table 1). Regarding health status, 179 (46.5%) animals had different abnormalities. Among these, depression 47 (12.2%), coughing 28 (7.3%), local swelling 10 (2.6%), nasal discharge 47 (12.2%), excessive salivation 30(7.8%) and pale mucus membrane 17 (4.4%) were ante‐mortem abnormalities encountered during the study period (Table 2).

TABLE 1.

Total number of cattle examined in the Jinka Municipal Abattoir and their variables (n = 384).

Variables	No. of cattle	Percentage (%)
Age
Young	105	27.3
Adult	183	47.7
Old	96	25.0
BCS
Poor	78	20.3
Medium	168	43.8
Good	138	35.9
Origin
Jinka	77	20.1
Others	307	79.8

TABLE 2.

Abnormal conditions recorded during ante‐mortem examination (n = 384).

Abnormalities	No. of cattle	Percentage (%)
Local swelling	10	2.6
Depression	47	12.2
Coughing	28	7.3
Nasal discharge	47	12.2
Excessive salivation	30	7.8
Pale mucus membrane	17	4.4
Total	179	46.5

3.2. Post‐mortem Examination

The post‐mortem examinations were carried out on 384 animals to determine parasitic and pathological lesions that cause condemnation of organs. Table 3 presents the specific pathological conditions that led to kidney, tongue and heart condemnation.

TABLE 3.

Causes of kidney, tongue and heart condemnation at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir (n = 384).

The organ and its causes	Frequency	Percentage (%)
Kidney
Haemorrhage	4	1.0
Nephritis	1	0.3
Calculi	1	0.3
Total	6	1.6
Tongue
Cysticercus bovis	6	1.6
Total	6	1.6
Heart
Haemorrhage	5	1.3
Hydatid cyst	2	0.5
Hydro pericardium	2	0.5
Pericarditis	1	0.3
Total	10	2.6

The main cause for kidney condemnation in Jinka Municipal Abattoir was haemorrhage 4(1.0%), and the least common causes were calculi 1 (0.3%) and nephritis 1 (0.3%) (Table 3).

Among lesions found on the liver, fasciola 12 (3.1%) was the highest, and the least common was abscess 1(0.3%). Hydatid cyst (10, 2.6%), local calcification (5, 1.3%) and fasciola and calcification (2, 0.5%) were also additional lesions contributing to liver condemnation in the present study. Overall, 30 (7.8%) livers were condemned at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1.

Lesions found on the liver at Jinka Municipal Abattoir from (n = 384).

The main causes for lung condemnation in Jinka Municipal Abattoir were hydatid cyst 10 (2.6%), emphysema 5 (1.3%), abscess 1 (0.3%) and emphysema and hydatid cyst 3(0.8%). Among the causes for lung condemnation at Jinka Municipal Abattoir, hydatid cyst was the most common, accounting for, while abscess was the least common, occurring in cases. Overall, 19 (5%) lungs were condemned at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir (Figure 2).

FIGURE 2.

Causes of lung condemnation at Jinka Municipal Abattoir from (n = 384).

The main cause for tongue condemnation in Jinka Municipal Abattoir was C. bovis 6 (1.6%) (Table 3).

The main causes for heart condemnation in Jinka Municipal Abattoir were haemorrhage 5 (1.5%), hydatid cyst 2 (0.5%), hydropericardium 2(0.5%) and pericarditis 1 (0.3%). Among causes for heart condemnation in Jinka Municipal Abattoir, haemorrhage was the highest, and the least common cause was pericarditis (Table 3).

Out of 384 examined organs, 30 (7.8%) liver, 19 (5%) lung, 10 (2.6%) heart, 6 (1.6%) kidney and 6 (1.6%) tongue were condemned. Overall, the prevalence of condemnation of major organs in cattle at Jinka Municipal Abattoir was found to be 71 (18.6%) in the study area. Post‐mortem examination of the organ has also shown that the liver was the most condemned organ, followed by the lungs (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3.

Total number of organ rejections at Jinka Municipal Abattoir from (n = 384).

3.3. Association Between Organ Condemnation and Risk Factors

The current study has also examined the association between organ condemnation rates and risk factors (Table 4). Organ condemnation rates did not differ significantly among cattle within each category. All variable types are prone to factors causing organ condemnation.

TABLE 4.

Distribution of causes of condemnation among risk factors in cattle slaughtered at Jinka Municipal Abattoir.

		Age			Body condition score
Organ condemned	Causes of condemnation	Young	Adult	Old	Poor	Medium	Good
Kidney	Haemorrhage	1	2	1	0	1	3
	Nephritis	0	0	1	0	0	1
	Calculi	0	1	0	0	1	0
	Total	1	3	2	0	2	4
Liver	Hydatid cyst	4	3	3	2	6	2
	Local calcification	1	2	2	1	3	1
	Abscess	0	1	0	1	0	0
	Fasciolla and calcification	0	0	2	2	0	0
	Fasciolla	6	4	2	3	6	3
	Total	11	10	9	9	15	6
Lung	Emphysema	3	1	1	0	2	3
	Abscess	0	0	1	1	0	0
	Emphysema and hydatid cyst	0	2	1	0	3	0
	Hydatid cyst	4	4	2	3	4	3
	Total	7	7	5	4	9	6
Tongue	Cysticercus bovis	2	4	0	1	2	3
	Total	2	4	0	1	2	3
Heart	Haemorrhage	1	3	1	2	2	1
	Hydatid cyst	1	0	1	1	1	0
	Hydropericardium	1	1	0	1	1	0
	Pericarditis	0	1	0	0	1	0
	Total	3	5	2	4	5	1

Organ condemnation rates did not show a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in age and condemnation of liver (p = 0.261), kidney (p = 0.661), tongue (p = 0.356), lung (p = 0.453) and heart (p = 0.846).

Organ condemnation rates did not show a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in body condition (BCS) and condemnation of liver (p = 0.144), kidney (p = 0.429), tongue (p = 0.769), lung (p = 0.250) and heart (p = 0.656).

Organ condemnation rates also did not show statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in origin and condemnation of liver (p = 0.366), kidney (p = 0.46), tongue (p = 0.769), lung (p = 0.250) and heart (p = 0.14).

3.4. Assessment of Direct Economic Loss

The annual direct financial loss incurred due to organ condemnation at Jinka Municipal Abattoir was estimated to be 56,150 ETB. The highest loss was incurred by the liver (39,000 ETB) and heart (6500 ETB), followed by the lung, kidney and tongue (6259, 3200 and 1200 ETB, respectively). Sensitivity analysis showed that varying organ prices and slaughter rates by ±10% resulted in total losses ranging from 50,535 to 61,765 ETB, indicating that the estimate is moderately sensitive to market and operational fluctuations. The annual direct financial loss incurred due to organ condemnation at Jinka Municipal Abattoir is shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5.

Annual financial losses due to organ condemnation in the Jinka Municipal Abattoir.

Organs condemned	Rejection rate of organs (%)	The average price of each organ at the local market	Average annual slaughtered animals (per year)	Annual loss estimation in ETB
Liver	7.8	200 ETB	2500	39,000.00
Lung	5	50 ETB	2500	6250.00
Kidney	1.6	80 ETB	2500	3200.00
Heart	2.6	100 ETB	2500	6500.00
Tongue	1.6	30 ETB	2500	1200.00
Total Estimated Loss (ETB)				56,150.00 Birr

4. Discussion

During ante‐mortem examination of animals at Jinka Municipal Abattoir, out of 384 animals, 46.5% animals had different abnormalities. (Asseged et al. 2004). This finding was not in agreement with Efrem et al. (2015) from Nekemte abattoir, Kebede et al. (2020) from Adama abattoir and Alam et al. (2022) Ephrem et al. (2021) from Bishoftu, which encountered 11.61%, 16.38% and 13.21%, respectively. Despite the current study's finding, across cattle abattoir studies in Ethiopia, only a minority of animals show detectable abnormalities at antemortem (AM) inspection, typically around 0–20% depending on context and health status.

Among abnormalities, depression 47 (12.2%), coughing 28 (7.3%), local swelling 10 (2.6%), nasal discharge 47 (12.2%) and excessive salivation 30 (7.8%) were ante‐mortem abnormalities encountered during the study period in the present study. A similar study reported from Nekemte abattoir to be 8.1% of excessive salivation (Efrem et al. 2015). This finding was greater than the study from Adama abattoir, which found depression (5.46%), nasal discharge (4.68%), coughing (2.46%) (Kebede et al. 2020). It could be factors such as disease exposure, management practices, improper disposal of condemned organs and environmental factors.

The post‐mortem examinations were carried out on 384 animals to determine parasitic and pathological lesions that cause condemnation of organs. Overall prevalence of major organs of cattle at Jinka Municipal Abattoir was found to be 18.6%. Out of 384 examined organs, 7.8% liver, 5% lung, 2.6% heart, 1.6% kidney and 1.6% tongue were condemned. A similar finding was reported by researchers from Ambo, who found 8.6%, 7.3%, 3.1%, 1.3% and 0.5%, respectively (Dima et al. 2020). Post‐mortem examination of the organs showed that the liver was the most condemned organ, followed by the lungs. A similar study was reported from the Adama and Hawassa Municipal Abattoir (Jatenie et al. 2014; Berbersa et al. 2016).

The condemnation rate of liver in the present study was lower than the previous study conducted in Kombolcha, Bahir‐Dar, Dessie and Jimma, which found 32.8%, 14.0%, 40.49% and 39.3%, respectively (Desie and Kedir, 2017; Meron et al. 2016; Tefera et al. 2016; Wale et al. 2017), and also another study from Asella, Hayik, Mekelle and Hawassa Municipal Abattoir found 38.8%, 18.75%, 51.95% and 44.5%, respectively (Nure 2017; Seid et al. 2019; Shegaw et al. 2009; Berbersa et al. 2016). This difference may be due to differences in the agro‐ecological environment of the study area, livestock husbandry system and improper disposal of condemned organs that were eaten by stray dogs.

In the current study, the rejection rate of the kidney was 6 (1.6%). This finding is relatively similar to 6.5% from Arba Minch (Teddy et al. 2018) Berbersa et al. 2016). In the current study, kidney was condemned due to haemorrhage in 4 (1.0%) and followed by calculi in 1 (0.3%) and nephritis in 1 (0.3%). In the present study, haemorrhage was the main cause of kidney condemnation. This finding is close to a study from Jimma, Bahir‐Dar and Gondar, which found 2.6%, 1% and 2.9%, respectively (Wale et al. 2017; Meron et al. 2016; Amare et al. 2017).

In the current study, the major causes of lung condemnation were 2.6% by hydatid cyst, followed by emphysema (1.3%), emphysema and hydatid cyst (0.8%), and abscess (0.3%). The overall rejection rate of the lung in this study was 19(5%). This finding is relatively similar to the findings from Hawassa and Wolaita Sodo abattoir, which found 9.4% and 8.8%, respectively (Berbersa et al. 2016, Wondemagegnehu et al. 2017).

In the current study, Hydatidosis was the main cause of lung condemnation, 2.6%. This finding is comparable with studies from Bahir‐Dar abattoir, Kombolcha abattoir and Wolaita Sodo, which found 7.3%, 7.81% and 6.86%, respectively (Desalegn et al. 2016; Meron et al. 2016; Wondemagegnehu et al. 2017). In the present study, the rejection rate of the lung due to Hydatidosis was lower than the previous studies conducted in Dessie and Gonder, with 14.45% and 22.5%, respectively (Tefera et al. 2016; Amare et al. 2017); Dima et al. 2020). In the present study, the rejection rate of the lung due to emphysema was 1.3%. This is comparable with studies from Wolaita Sodo, Mekele and Gonder, with 1.22%, 2.15% and 3.5%, respectively (Amare et al. 2017; Shegaw et al. 2009; Wondemagegnehu et al. 2017). The lung condensation due to abscess in this study was 0.3%, and the finding is in agreement with a study from Mekele, which found 1.56% (Shegaw et al. 2009). However, this finding was lower than the result from Hayik abattoir, with 36% (Seid et al. 2019). In the present study, the condemnation rate of the lung was lower compared to other previously conducted research. The difference is probably due to differences in the prevalence of the disease among abattoirs, the agro‐ecological environments of the study area, the husbandry system and climatic differences between areas where the study was conducted.

The current study showed that the condemnation rate of the heart due to different causes was 2.6%. However, this finding was in agreement with a study from Hayik Municipal Abattoir, which found 4.42% (Seid et al. 2019). In the current study, the major causes of heart condemnation were haemorrhage 5 (1.3%), hydatid cyst 2 (0.5%), hydropericardium 2 (0.5%) and pericarditis 1 (0.3%). The condemnation rate of the heart due to haemorrhage is close to findings from Adama, 1.6% (Jatenie et al. 2014). The condemnation rate of the heart due to pericarditis was lower than a study in Kombolch, which reported 5.8% (Desie and Kedir 2017). The condemnation rate of the heart due to hydatid cyst is comparable to the study from Nekemte (1.49%) (Efrem et al. 2015).

The main cause for tongue condemnation in the Jinka Municipal Abattoir was C. Bovis, 1.6%. A similar study reported be 1.5% (Berbersa et al. 2016). However, it was lower than the previous study from Dessie and Gonder, 9.5% and 11.5%, respectively (Amare et al. 2017; Tefera et al. 2016 Dima et al. 2020).

The current study has shown that organ condemnation rates also did not show statistically significant differences with risk factors (Table 4) among cattle in each category. All variable types are prone to factors causing organ condemnation. The lack of a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in condemnation rate of heart and tongue and the age, and condemnation of liver, kidney, tongue, and lung and BCS of the animals was in line with the findings of the study in Hawassa (Berbersa et al. 2016). A study in Nekemte found no statistically significant difference in condemnation rates by age and body condition score between animals from different origins (Moje et al. 2014).

However, different studies indicated that these three factors are strongly linked to higher rates of organ condemnation. Cattle in poor condition are more likely to have organs condemned than those in good condition (Yesihak and Webb 2015; Basore et al. 2019; Ahmed 2023). Older animals exhibit higher condemnation rates compared to younger ones (Yesihak and Webb 2015; Basore et al. 2019; Ahmed 2023). The geographic origin of animals is a significant risk factor, with certain regions showing higher prevalence of disease and condemnation rates (Basore et al. 2019; Ahmed 2023; Tefera et al. 2016).

The lack of statistically significant associations (p > 0.05) between age, body condition and origin with organ condemnation in the present study suggests these factors may not independently influence condemnation rates. However, potential confounders such as similar management practices, disease prevalence across all source districts and environmental exposure could mask true associations. In addition, pre‐slaughter filtering by owners could have resulted in a relatively homogeneous population, reducing variability in body condition. Animals that are visibly ill or in poor condition might be excluded before arriving at the abattoir.

In the present study, the annual direct financial losses due to the condemnation of organs at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir were estimated to be 56,150 ETB (Ethiopian Birr). This finding was relatively similar to 56,841 ETB from Arba Minch (Berbersa et al. 2016). This finding is greater than the study from Ambo, and Nekemte, which reported 7259.56 ETB and 7,110 ETB, respectively. (Moje et al. 2014; Dima et al. 2020) but lower than 123,560 ETB by a study from Gonder (Amare et al. 2017) 187,890 ETB in Arba Minch (Teddy et al. 2018), 354,821.8 ETB from Wolaita (Wondemagegnehu et al. 2017) and 3,522,005.00 ETB from Kombolch (Desie and Kedir 2017). These differences are probably due to differences in slaughtering capacity of abattoirs, price of organs at the local market in the study area, rejection rate and prevalence of disease.

In addition to economic implications, condemned organs often harbour pathogens such as F. hepatica, Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia saginata. Improper disposal may facilitate transmission of zoonotic pathogens to humans and dogs, perpetuating the cycle of infection. Strengthening meat inspection, enforcing safe disposal and community education on food safety are essential to mitigate these public health risks.

5. Conclusion

This study conducted ante‐mortem and post‐mortem examinations at the Jinka Municipal Abattoir to identify the primary causes of organ condemnation and their economic implications. Ante‐mortem findings revealed that 46.5% of the animals exhibited various abnormalities, including depression, coughing and nasal discharge. Post‐mortem analysis of 384 animals indicated that 18.6% (71 organs) were condemned, with the liver being the most frequently affected organ, followed by the lungs. The primary causes of condemnation were identified as fasciolosis and hydatid cysts. These causes of condemnation result in economic losses of 56,150 Birr. To address these issues, it is recommended that awareness be increased regarding regular deworming practices, that appropriate disposal methods for condemned organs be implemented, that proper handling of animals during transport be ensured and that collaboration between government and private organizations be strengthened to control diseases leading to organ condemnation. Further research should also be conducted to explore overlooked factors related to organ condemnation in this abattoir.

Author Contributions

All authors took part in every step of manuscript preparation, in drafting, critically reviewing the article, or revising, gave approval to the final version of the manuscript to be published, agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Funding

The authors have nothing to report.

Ethics Statement

Before conducting the study, informed consent was taken from the livestock owners included in this study. There was no harm to the study animal. Measures were taken, and samples were collected, ensuring the respect, welfare and freedom of each animal. All sample collection and laboratory diagnostic methods were performed in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and regulations.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.