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Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology logoLink to Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology
. 2019 Aug 28;44(1):1–9. doi: 10.1007/s12639-019-01154-y

Prevalence and financial loss estimation of parasitic diseases detected in slaughtered cattle in Kwara State, North-central Nigeria

Shola David Ola-Fadunsin 1,✉, Patricia Isioma Uwabujo 1, Ibrahim Ndaman Halleed 2, Bukola Richards 2
PMCID: PMC7046916  PMID: 32174699

Abstract

Parasitism is of great concern to the wellbeing, productivity and reproductivity of animals and it causes great financial loss to the economy of any nation. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and the economic loss from carcass and viscera condemnation due to parasitic diseases in slaughtered cattle in Kwara State, North-central Nigeria. A 16 year (2003–2018) record of parasitic diseases detected in cattle slaughtered at the major abattoirs in Ilorin city was retrieved from the Kwara State Veterinary department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The total prevalence as well as the yearly, monthly and seasonal prevalence of each of the documented parasitic diseases was determined. The financial losses associated with each of the parasitic diseases were estimated in Nigerian Naira (₦) and US Dollar (USD) considering the market price and weight of viscera condemned. Fasciolosis, hydatidosis, dicrocoeliosis, cysticercosis and oesophagostomiasis were the parasitic disease conditions with fasciolosis (6371/832,001) and cysticercosis (134/832,001) been the most and least prevalent disease conditions respectively. The yearly and monthly prevalence of each disease conditions showed an undefined pattern. There was a significantly difference in the prevalence of the detected parasitic conditions within seasons. The total financial loss associated with these disease conditions was 304,133.82 USD (46,161,433 Nigerian Naira). This study showed that parasitic diseases are of great financial drain to the livestock economy of Nigeria and this study will serve as baseline information on the economic losses associated with parasitic diseases of cattle at slaughter in Nigeria.

Keywords: Financial loss, Kwara State, Parasitic diseases, Prevalence, Slaughtered cattle

Introduction

Figures from meat inspection records has been an important source of data for evaluating the epidemiological aspects and economic implications of parasitic, viral, bacterial, fungal and nutritional diseases of animals in several countries of the world (Borji et al. 2012; Ezatpour et al. 2015; Jaja et al. 2017). Fasciolosis, dicrocoeliosis, hydatidosis and cysticercosis, and to a lesser extent oesophagostomiasis are the parasitic diseases which are often detected at slaughter in cattle (Herenda et al. 2010; Borji et al. 2012; Jaja et al. 2017).

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica is a trematode primarily found in ruminants (cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats), and it can be zoonotic (Ashrafi and Mas-Coma 2014). Fasciola infection is the chief source of loss to domestic animal production in Africa, Asia, Tropical and Sub-tropical areas of the world (Hammond 1965; Yatswako and Alhaji 2017). Dicrocoeliosis is caused by a lanceolate trematode known as Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The trematode affects sheep, goat, cattle, deer and rabbit, occasionally horse and pig as its finial host and it can be found all over the world except in South Africa and Australia (Taylor et al. 2016).

Bovine hydatidosis and cysticercosis are caused by the intermediate stages of Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia species respectively; they belong to the class: Cestoda and are of great economic importance to the cattle industry worldwide (Borji et al. 2012; Taylor et al. 2016). Hydatidosis is a chronic cyst-forming parasitic helminthic disease of domestic and wild ungulates as well as human beings; it is caused by infection with the larval stages (oncospheres) of dog tapeworms (Echinococcus granulosus) (Haftu and Kebede 2014). Bovine cysticercosis is a parasitic zoonoses that affects the muscles, tongues and hearts of cattle and is caused by the metacestode stages of the human intestinal cestode, Taenia saginata and other Taenia species (Bedu et al. 2011). Oesophagostomiasis in cattle is caused by Oesophagostomum radiatum and it is characterized with nodular formation in the intestines resulting to condemnation of affected areas (Herenda et al. 2010; Taylor et al. 2016).

Diseases of parasitic origin are generally considered as a major impediment in the health and food safety with animal origin and cause great economic loss in the agricultural sector of most countries in the world not excluding Nigeria, bearing in mind the economic significance arising from parasitic disease infections and the financial losses estimated at various levels in different locations in Nigeria (Ardo et al. 2013; Akpabio 2014; Magaji et al. 2014; Ejeh et al. 2015; Liba et al. 2017; Yatswako and Alhaji 2017). Hence, it would be important to have full information on the status of parasitic diseases with regard to its prevalence and negative economic impact from different parts of the country to establish appropriate strategy for prevention and control. Yet, information regarding financial loss due to parasite-related condemnation of cattle offal and carcass is not known in Kwara State, Nigeria, which is a vital livestock production area in Nigeria, considering its location in the country.

The aims of the current study were to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections responsible for the condemnation of cattle carcasses and viscera during meat inspection, and its economic impact in Kwara State. The beauty of this study is that it appears to be the first in Nigeria to evaluate the financial losses due to cattle carcasses and viscera condemnation associated with a wide range of parasitic diseases, as other previous studies were centered on fasciolosis, and a study on cysticercosis.

Material and methods

Study area

This study was conducted in Kwara State, a transition State between the southern and northern regions of Nigeria. The State is located at the North-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, with geographical coordinates of latitude 8° 30′N and longitude 5° 00′E and covers an area of 35,705 km2 (13,947.27 Sq. miles). The State is bordered in the west by Benin Republic, in the east by Kogi State, and the south by Oyo, Osun, and Ekiti States and Niger State to the north (Fig. 1). The seasons of the State can be categorized into four: the early dry season (October–December), late dry season (January–March), early rainy season (April–June), and late dry season (July–September). The State has a mean annual rainfall of between 112.8 cm and 146.9 cm and an average annual temperature ranging from 22.1 to 33.3 °C. It records a mean relative humidity of 49.6%. Ilorin is the administrative capital of Kwara State and the most populated and largest city in the State. It covers three of the sixteen local government areas of the State (Adebimpe 2011; NBS 2016; Ola-Fadunsin et al. 2019).

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Map of Kwara State showing the location of Ilorin (study area) that covers Ilorin east, Ilorin south and Ilorin west. Insert map shows the location of Kwara State in Nigeria (Adebimpe 2011)

Study design

Data of a 16 year period (2003–2018) on cases of parasitic diseases recorded based on carcasses and viscera condemnation in the major abattoirs in Ilorin east, Ilorin west and Ilorin south local government areas were retrieved. Records were acquired from the Veterinary record books at Kwara State Veterinary department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Carcasses and viscera inspection were carried out by experienced team of Veterinarians. The number, type of organs, carcasses and reason for condemnation were recorded on standardized data sheets as received from the State Veterinary department. Carcasses and viscera inspections and condemnation were done using the eye-and-knife method as prescribed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Herenda et al. 2010).

Carcasses and viscera inspection and condemnation

Livers were inspected for the presence of Fasciola hepatica and or Fasciola gigantica (adults), Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid cysts), and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (adults). Lungs were inspected for the presence of Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid cysts), while tongues and hearts were examined for Taenia sp. cysticerci. Hearts, spleens and kidneys were examined for Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid cysts). Carcasses and intestines were inspected for the presence of Taenia sp. Cysticerci and Oesophagostomum radiatum respectively. Pimply gut was the term used to describe Oesophagostomiasis. There was no record of carcass been condemned.

Determination of prevalence

The total prevalence of each parasitic disease between the study periods was calculated as the total number of each parasitic disease detected at slaughter throughout the study period divided by the total number of slaughtered cattle examined throughout the same period. The annual prevalence rate of each parasitic disease was calculated as the total number of parasitic disease detected in a given year divided by the total number of cattle examined in that given year. The monthly prevalence rate was calculated as the total number of parasitic disease detected at slaughter in a given month throughout the study period, divided by the total number of slaughtered cattle examined at the said month throughout the study period, while the seasonal prevalence was calculated as the total number of parasitic disease detected at slaughter in each season throughout the study, divided by the total number of cattle slaughtered and examined in the said season during the study period.

Financial loss estimation associated with viscera condemnation

The total economic loss was calculated from the summation of viscera condemned from 2003 to 2018. The estimated cost of carcasses and viscera per kilogram was determined through interviews with the butchers, meat traders and retailers at the abattoirs and meat shops. The average weights of the viscera were determined by randomly weighing the viscera (liver, lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys, tongue and intestines) of slaughtered cattle (a minimum of 200 cattle).

The total economic loss due to parasites infected viscera that were condemned was calculated using a modification of the formula as documented by Mungube et al. (2006).

TEL=Cp×AWv×P/kg,

where, TEL = total economic loss from viscera condemnation; C(p) = number of viscera condemned because of parasitism, AW(v) = average weight of viscera in mature individual cattle, P/kg = approximate cost price of a normal viscera per kilogram.

The exchange rate of 151.78 NGN to 1 USD, available as at October 2010 (CBN 2010) was used for the conversion from Nigerian Naira (NGN) to US dollar (USD). The exchange rate at 2010 was used been the median year of the study.

Data management and statistical analysis

The retrieved data were statistically analyzed using the “Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS-Version 22.0” (SPSS Inc., Chicago). Descriptive statistics was conducted to estimate the prevalence using percentages in tables. The univariate analysis (Chi Square) test was used to determine the association between years, months and seasons and the presence or absence of each parasitic disease. Significance was calculated with respect to a reference category as indicated in the tables. P ≤ 0.005 was considered significant.

Result

The results from the total 832,001 cattle slaughtered during this study showed that fasciolosis (0.77%) was the most prevalent parasitic disease detected followed by hydatidosis (0.24%), while cysticercosis (0.02%) was the least prevalent (Table 1).

Table 1.

Total prevalence (%) of parasitic diseases in slaughtered cattle in Kwara State, Nigeria (n = 832001)

Parasitic diseases Number infected Prevalence (%)
Fasciolosis 6371 0.77
Hydatidosis 1967 0.24
Dicrocoeliosis 296 0.04
Cysticercosis 134 0.02
Oesophagostomiasis 373 0.04
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The yearly number and prevalence (%) of parasitic diseases in this study is presented in Table 2. There was an uneven and significant (P < 0.05) distribution of fasciolosis within the studied years with the highest prevalence recorded in 2017 (2.12%; 1266/59,820). The prevalence of hydatidosis was highest in 2016 (0.95%) and 2017 (0.89%) and lowest in 2005 and 2006 with a prevalence of 0.03% in each of the years, the differences was significant (P < 0.05). The detection of dicrocoeliosis was highest in 2017 with a prevalence of 0.11% (63/59,820) and a lowest prevalence of 0.01% was recorded between 2003 and 2008, and 2011 to 2013. Cysticercosis was detected only in 2003, 2016 and 2017 with a prevalence of 0.03% (16/47,418), 0.11% (64/55,864) and 0.09% (54/59,820) respectively. Oesophagostomiasis was detected all through the studied year with exception of 2009 to 2014 and 2018 and the prevalence of oesophagostomiasis was highest in 2017 (0.25%).

Table 2.

Yearly number and prevalence (%) of parasitic diseases in slaughtered cattle in Kwara State, Nigeria

Years Number slaughtered Fasciolosis Hydatidosis Dicrocoeliosis Cysticercosis Oesophagostomiasis
Number (prevalence %)
2003 47,418 118 (0.25)b 68 (0.14)b 5 (0.01)b 16 (0.03)b 6 (0.01)b
2004 41,852 109 (0.26)b 15 (0.04)b 3 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 10 (0.02)b
2005 54,357 208 (0.38)b 19 (0.03)b 4 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 27 (0.05)b
2006 42,408 118 (0.28)b 13 (0.03)b 4 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 16 (0.04)b
2007 52,641 175 (0.33)b 22 (0.04)b 5 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 14 (0.03)b
2008 54,985 370 (0.67)a 75 (0.14)b 5 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 12 (0.02)b
2009 51,780 318 (0.61)a 160 (0.31)b 13 (0.03)a 0 (0.00)a 0 (0.00)a
2010 55,514 174 (0.31)b 170 (0.31)b 9 (0.02)a 0 (0.00)a 0 (0.00)a
2011 50,603 101 (0.20)b 29 (0.06)a 5 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 0 (0.00)a
2012 54,900 0 (0.00)b 23 (0.04)b 5 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 0 (0.00)a
2013 49,038 6 (0.01)b 27 (0.06)a 5 (0.01)b 0 (0.00)a 0 (0.00)a
2014 53,024 1062 (2.00)b 140 (0.26)b 53 (0.10)b 0 (0.00)a 0 (0.00)a
2015 48,749 1010 (2.07)b 87 (0.18)b 50 (0.10)b 0 (0.00)a 34 (0.07)b
2016 55,864 984 (1.76)b 530 (0.95)b 49 (0.09)b 64 (0.11)b 104 (0.19)b
2017 59,820 1266 (2.12)b 538 (0.89)b 63 (0.11)b 54 (0.09)b 150 (0.25)b
2018† 59,048 352 (0.60)a 51 (0.09)a 18 (0.03)a 0 (0.00)a 0 (0.00)a
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†Reference category

Different alphabets between columns from that of the reference category = Significant at P < 0.05

The monthly prevalence (%) of parasitic diseases in this study revealed that fasciolosis was most prevalent in August (1.13%; 698/61,854) and June (0.99%; 602/60,930) and least prevalent in February (0.48%; 333/68,978) and April (0.58%; 400/68,963), the differences was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The prevalence of hydatidosis was highest in June (0.41%) and lowest in February (0.11%). The prevalence of dicrocoeliosis ranged from 0.02% (February and April) to 0.05% (June and August). Cysticercosis and oesophagostomiasis were most prevalent in May with a prevalence of 0.06% and 0.13% for the respective diseases. No case of cysticercosis was recorded in February, July–October and December. A prevalence of 0.01% was recorded in July and December been the lowest prevalence for oesophagostomiasis (Table 3).

Table 3.

Monthly number and prevalence (%) of parasitic diseases in slaughtered cattle in Kwara State, Nigeria

Months Number slaughtered Fasciolosis Hydatidosis Dicrocoeliosis Cysticercosis Oesophagostomiasis
Number (prevalence (%))
Jan 71,666 525 (0.73)a 126 (0.18)b 23 (0.03)a 11 (0.02)b 26 (0.04)b
Feb 68,978 333 (0.48)b 77 (0.11)a 13 (0.02)b 0 (0.00)a 16 (0.02)a
Mar 64,664 440 (0.68)b 122 (0.19)b 19 (0.03)a 5 (0.01)b 10 (0.02)a
Apr 68,963 400 (0.58)b 137 (0.20)b 17 (0.02)b 9 (0.01)b 36 (0.05)b
May 70,209 484 (0.69)b 200 (0.28)b 23 (0.03)a 40 (0.06)b 89 (0.13)b
Jun 60,930 602 (0.99)b 251 (0.41)b 29 (0.05)a 8 (0.01)b 53 (0.09)b
Jul 61,809 539 (0.87)a 181 (0.29)b 26 (0.04)a 0 (0.00)a 5 (0.01)a
Aug 61,854 698 (1.13)b 197 (0.32)b 33 (0.05)a 15 (0.02)b 27 (0.04)b
Sep 63,326 515 (0.81)a 171 (0.27)b 24 (0.04)a 11 (0.02)b 31 (0.05)b
Oct 65,192 606 (0.93)b 198 (0.30)b 28 (0.04)a 0 (0.00)a 45 (0.07)b
Nov 87,522 529 (0.60)b 191 (0.22)b 23 (0.03)a 35 (0.04)b 26 (0.03)b
Dec† 86,888 700 (0.81)a 116 (0.13)a 38 (0.04)a 0 (0.00)a 9 (0.01)a
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† Reference category

Different alphabets between columns from that of the reference category = Significant at P < 0.05

The seasonal prevalence of parasitic diseases showed that there was a significantly higher prevalence of fasciolosis during the late wet (0.94%) compared to other seasons. Hydatidosis was more prevalent during the early wet and late wet seasons compared to the early dry and late dry seasons. The prevalence of dicrocoeliosis ranged between 0.03 and 0.04% within the seasons. Cysticercosis and oesophagostomiasis were significantly higher during the early wet as against the other seasons (Table 4).

Table 4.

Seasonal number and prevalence (%) of parasitic diseases in slaughtered cattle in Kwara State, Nigeria

Seasons Number slaughtered Fasciolosis Hydatidosis Dicrocoeliosis Cysticercosis Oesophagostomiasis
Number (prevalence %)
Early dry 239,602 1835 (0.77)b 505 (0.21)b 89 (0.04)a 35 (0.01)a 80 (0.03)a
Late dry 205,308 1298 (0.63)b 325 (0.16)b 55 (0.03)b 16 (0.01)a 52 (0.03)a
Early wet 200,102 1486 (0.74)b 588 (0.29)a 69 (0.03)a 57 (0.03)b 178 (0.09)b
Late wet† 186,989 1752 (0.94)a 549 (0.29)a 83 (0.04)a 26 (0.01)a 63 (0.03)a
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† Reference category

Different alphabets between columns from that of the reference category = Significant at P < 0.05

The evaluation of economic impacts due to the parasitic diseases detected at the abattoirs in the study area showed alarming values, as 220,369.94 USD (33,447,750 Nigerian Naira) was lost due to fasciolosis (6371 livers condemned) over the study period. Economic losses due to hydatidosis, dicrocoeliosis, cysticercosis and oesophagostomiasis stood at 52,135.62 USD, 10,238.50 USD, 2,221.23 USD and 19,168.53 USD respectively. The highest economic loss due to hydatidosis was recorded in liver condemnation (984 livers costing 34,036.10 USD). A grand total of 304,133.82 USD (46,161,433 Nigeria Naira) was lost due to condemnation of organs as a result of parasitic diseases (Table 5).

Table 5.

Financial losses from condemned viscera due to parasitic diseases in slaughtered cattle in Kwara State, Nigeria

Disease Condition Viscera
condemned (number) (CP)		 Average weight (kg) of viscera (AW (v)) Cost (per kg) of viscera (₦)
(P/kg)		 Financial loss in Naira (₦) Financial loss in Dollar (US$)
Fasciolosis Liver (6371) 3.50 1500 33,447,750 220,369.94
Total 33,447,750 220,369.94
Hydatidosis Liver (984) 3.50 1500 5,166,000 34,036.10
Lungs (759) 2.85 1100 2,379,465 15,677.07
Heart (70) 1.21 1600 135,520 892.87
Spleen (64) 1.04 1000 66,560 438.53
Kidneys (90) 1.15 1600 165,600 1091.05
Total 7,913,145 52,135.62
Dicrocoeliosis Liver (296) 3.50 1500 1,554,000 10,238.50
Total 1,554,000 10,238.50
Cysticercosis Tongue (91) 1.80 1550 253,890 1672.75
Heart (43) 1.21 1600 83,248 548.48
Total 337,138 2221.23
Oesophagostomiasis Intestines (373) 6.50 1200 2,909,400 19,168.53
Total 2,909,400 19,168.53
Grand total 46,161,433 304,133.82
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Discussion

Parasitism has remained one of the most prevalent and economic impactful group of diseases affecting cattle and other animals in almost every part of the world (Ola-Fadunsin 2017). Records from meat inspection are important means of monitoring disease conditions and determining possible annual trends and losses due to diseases (Borji et al. 2012). In line with this, we reported fasciolosis, hydatidosis, dicrocoeliosis, cysticercosis and oesophagostomiasis as the parasitic diseases detected at slaughter from cattle in Kwara State, Nigeria. The detection of these diseases is of great concern to public health as these diseases except oesophagostomiasis has been reported to affect man in all continents of the world, and it is likely that where animal cases are reported, human cases also exist (Bedu et al. 2011; Elsair et al. 2016; Almalki et al. 2017; Arbabi et al. 2018).

The overall fasciolosis prevalence of 0.77% recorded in this study is strongly in agreement with the 0.76% documented among slaughtered cattle in Arak, Iran by Arbabi et al. (2018). Higher prevalence of fasciolosis than what we observed has been reported at abattoirs in other parts of Nigeria (Omoleye et al. 2012; Ejeh et al. 2015; Yatswako and Alhaji 2017). Outside of Nigeria, abattoir bovine fasciolosis prevalence of 0.09% has been reported in Botswana (Mochankana and Robertson 2016), 30.8% in Egypt (Elshraway and Mahmoud 2017), 37.10% in Zimbabwe (Pfukenyi and Mukaratirwa 2004) and 64.40% in Zambia (Nyirenda et al. 2019). The prevalence we recorded falls between the reported prevalence of bovine fasciolosis at abattoirs in other parts of the world.

A previous study of bovine hydatidosis at slaughter in Nigeria reported a prevalence of 1.8% (Okolugbo et al. 2013). Prevalence in different parts of the world ranges between 4.5 and 40.5% (Abunna et al. 2012; Terefe et al. 2012; Azami et al. 2013; Haftu and Kebede 2014; Qingling et al. 2014; Elsair et al. 2016; Ghasemian et al. 2018). These prevalences are way higher than the observed prevalence in this study. The inconsistencies in the prevalences may be attributed to different intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with the animal breeds, period of time covered, number of cattle involved in the study and the operating standard procedures in the different studied abattoirs. Hydatid cysts were detected more in the liver than other visceral organs. This may be due to the fact that the liver is the first organ to which the blood flows having left the digestive tract, which results in the greater part of the oncospheres being transported to the liver, with only the ones that are not separated in the liver moving on to lungs and other organs (Almalki et al. 2017), thereby manifesting it effects (cyst formation) more in the liver.

The prevalence of dicrocoeliosis, cysticercosis and oesophagostomiasis appears to be negligible, though it calls for concerns as these conditions can affect the economic power of farmers and beef sellers. Also cysticercosis is zoonotic, thereby increasing its concerns despite the low prevalence. In line with our finding, Arbabi et al. (2018) reported a low prevalence (0.6%) of bovine dicrocoeliosis in their study conducted among cattle at abattoirs in Arak, Iran. Similarly, Faraji et al. (2015) documented an average prevalence of 0.05% in bovine cysticercosis in their study conducted in the slaughterhouse of Bistoons Kermanshah, Iran. The low prevalences observed in this study may be attributed to the poor diagnostic sensitivity of the eye-and-knife method of meat inspection at slaughter compared to the routine parasitological, serological and molecular techniques. Also, the differences in the prevalence of these infections compared to previous studies might be attributed to significant variances in climatic conditions, including the average rainfall, temperature, seasonal changes, type of animals, and livestock management strategies (Arbabi et al. 2018).

The annual and monthly prevalences of the various parasitic conditions showed no definite pattern in its prevalence. This may be attributed to government policies at different times, irregularities in the migration and importation of cattle and the relative competence of the veterinarians that were involved in the inspection of carcasses and viscera of cattle.

Significantly higher prevalence of bovine fasciolosis has been reported during the wet season as against the dry season (Adedokun et al. 2008; Njoku-Tony 2011), while Yatswako and Alhaji (2017) reported higher prevalence of the disease condition during the late dry season compared to the early dry season. In tandem, we observed a significantly higher prevalence of bovine fasciolosis during the late wet season compared to other seasons. The high burdens at the rainy seasons are likely due to high volume of snails (intermediate host of Fasciola spp.) availability at the grazing pastures and the fact that cattle acquired more infective stage of Fasciola spp. (metacercariae) while grazing at grazing fields, along river banks and around water bodies during the early rainy season and reaching peak at late rainy season (Yatswako and Alhaji 2017). Also, the high prevalence recorded during the late raining season could be that infection with Fasciola spp occurred at the early raining season and the disease manifested during the late dry season as the prepatent period of Fasciola spp is between 10 and 16 weeks (Taylor et al. 2016).

Significantly higher prevalence of bovine hydatidosis has been reported during the summer season among slaughtered cattle in Iran (Daryani et al. 2007). In Pakistan, higher prevalence of the disease condition was reported in slaughtered cattle during the autumn season (Khan et al. 2010). We observed higher prevalence of hydatidosis during the wet season compared to the dry season. Our finding may suggest that more oncospheres of Echinococcus granulosus are available in the environment during the wet season than the dry season.

The detection of dicrocoeliosis which is almost evenly in all seasons may be attributed to its unique life cycle. Here the egg does not hatch until ingested by the first intermediate host (a terrestrial snail), a second intermediate host (ants) is needed for the cycle to be completed. The prepatent period is 10–12 weeks. The total life cycle takes roughly 6 months and the flukes are long-lived and can survive in the final host for several seasons and years (Taylor et al. 2016). In line with our observation, Mohammadpourfard et al. (2015) reported an uneven seasonal prevalence of bovine dicrocoeliosis among slaughtered cattle in Iran.

The high prevalence of bovine cysticercosis recorded during the wet season in our investigation is in tandem with that documented by Sungirai et al. (2014) in their study conducted on slaughtered cattle in Zimbabwe. The disease condition was observed more in the tongues than the hearts in this current study. Yimer and Gebrmedehan (2019) reported that the tongue is the most affected organ of bovine cysticercosis in cattle followed by the heart, as the cyst of the disease can also be seen in the shoulder, diaphragmatic and masseter muscles, liver, kidneys and oesophagus.

The high detection of oesophagostomiasis during the early wet season is expected as rain fall favours the hatching of its eggs and the development of its larvae, thereby resulting to its high prevalence during the wet season.

The estimated three hundred and four thousand, one hundred and thirty four USD loss recorded in this study due to organs and viscera condemnation is way higher than the losses previously reported in Nigeria (Biu et al. 2006; Ejeh et al. 2015) and other parts of the world (Khan et al. 2010; Bizuwork et al. 2013; Haftu and Kebede 2014; Elkhtam et al. 2016; Jaja et al. 2017; Arbabi et al. 2018). This outrageous difference may be attributed to the fact that five parasitic disease conditions were considered in this study as against the one or two disease condition(s) considered in other studies. This level of financial losses suggests that parasitism is a big threat to the livestock economy of Nigeria. The magnitude of financial losses recorded due to fasciolosis in this study is way higher than those reported in Nigeria by Ardo et al. (2013) and Akpabio (2014). It is however lower than those reported by Yatswako and Alhaji (2017) in Nigeria and Nyirenda et al. (2019) in Zambia. The differences in the level of financial losses may be attributed to the dissimilarity in the study duration. Also, the findings from our investigations and previous studies indicate that bovine fasciolosis is of high economic importance to the livestock industry worldwide.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the financial losses due to hydatidosis, dicrocoeliosis and oesophagostomiasis among slaughtered cattle in Nigeria. This investigation therefore provides the baseline data on the economic implications of these parasitic conditions on cattle in Nigeria. In other parts of the world, economic losses amounting to 20,720.99 USD in Ethiopia (Gebreyohannes and Wondie 2014) and 10,520 USD in Iran (Arbabi et al. 2018) has been documented for bovine hydatidosis and bovine dicrocoeliosis respectively.

A total of 2,842,321.61 Nigerian Naira was lost due to bovine cysticercosis in Nigeria (Ikpeze et al. 2008) and this has been the only report on this disease in Nigeria before now. We reported a lower amount been lost to the same disease condition in our study. The time, place and duration of study could have resulted in the differences. The difference may also infer that the prevalence and economic effects of bovine cysticercosis has reduced in Nigeria probably due to enhanced veterinary and medical attention and facilities, and improved government policies to better the livestock industry.

Conclusion

This present study showed that the prevalence of the detected cattle parasitic disease conditions at slaughter is relatively low. There was higher prevalence of these disease conditions during the wet seasons. There was a high level of economic loss associated with these diseases in slaughtered cattle. This is the first study to evaluate the economic loss of a wide variety of parasitic disease conditions of cattle at slaughter in Nigeria; as such it provides a baseline data for the economic implication associated with parasitic diseases of slaughtered cattle. There is need to replicate this study in other parts of Nigeria so as to generate a holistic data for the country.

Authors’ contributions

SDO initiated the study, analysed and interpreted the data. PIU, BR and INH collected and entered the data. All authors were involved in writing the manuscript. All authors read, revised and approved the finial manuscript.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal conflict that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Footnotes

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