Prevalence of Fasciolosis in Slaughtered Cattle at Jos Abattoir, Plateau State

This study determines the prevalence of fasciolosis (liver fluke disease) in cattle slaughtered at the Jos metropolitan abattoir in Plateau State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone. Fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica, is a major cause of liver condemnation at Nigerian abattoirs, resulting in significant economic losses to the livestock industry and representing an important public health concern due to its zoonotic potential. Using a prospective abattoir-based cross-sectional design, livers from 300 cattle were examined macroscopically for fluke presence and biliary cirrhosis over a five-month period. Flukes recovered were identified to species level using standard morphological criteria. Liver condemnation rates and economic losses were calculated based on market prices and mean condemned liver weights. Findings revealed an overall fasciolosis prevalence of 34 percent, with Fasciola gigantica accounting for 89 percent of recovered flukes and Fasciola hepatica accounting for 11 percent. Prevalence was significantly higher in cattle originating from riverine grazing areas and in animals slaughtered during the late dry season. Condemned livers represented an estimated economic loss of over three million naira during the study period. The study recommends strategic anthelmintic treatment, particularly with triclabendazole, targeted at animals from high-risk grazing areas, and improved drainage of grazing pastures to reduce snail intermediate host habitat. Keywords: fasciolosis, cattle, abattoir, Jos, liver condemnation.