Prevalence of Fasciola Species in Cattle Slaughtered at Maiduguri Abattoir, Borno State, North East Nigeria

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola species represents one of the economically important parasitic diseases of ruminants in Nigeria, causing significant liver condemnation losses at abattoirs and reducing cattle productivity. This study determines the prevalence of Fasciola species in cattle slaughtered at the Maiduguri Metropolitan Abattoir in Borno State, North East Nigeria. A cross-sectional abattoir-based survey was conducted over six months, with livers of 350 slaughtered cattle systematically examined for visible fluke lesions, bile duct hyperplasia, and adult Fasciola flukes. Recovered flukes were preserved and morphologically identified to species level. Ante-mortem data including cattle breed, age, sex, source of origin, and body condition score were recorded from slaughter records and lairage inspection. Recent abattoir surveys from 2020 to 2024 in northeastern Nigerian states report Fasciola condemnation rates ranging from 15 to 35 percent of slaughtered cattle, with wetter seasons associated with higher rates. This study aims to document species distribution between Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica and assess factors associated with infection intensity. Findings will contribute to the veterinary public health database of Borno State and will be shared with the National Veterinary Research Institute. Keywords: Fasciola species, fasciolosis, cattle abattoir, Borno State, liver condemnation.