Prevalence of Bovine Cysticercosis and Human Taeniasis in Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa Towns, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to July 2018 on randomly selected carcasses and human population of the towns to estimate the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis respectively at Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa towns and their corresponding municipal abattoirs, eastern Ethiopia. Active abattoir survey from local zebu and cross (HF x zebu) cattle presented to Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa abattoirs and questionnaire surveys data collected were analyzed using STATA release 14.0 software. Out of 1108 inspected animals, 302 animals had varying number of Cysticercus bovis with prevalence of 27.3%. Jigjiga had the highest prevalence 33.5% as compared to Babile 31% and Dire Dawa 18%. Among the examined predilection sites, C. bovis distribution was the highest in liver 9.6%, followed by tongue 8.5%, masseter 5.1%, shoulder 4.3%, arm muscle 2.5%, heart 2.3%, thigh muscle 1.8% and diaphragm 0.4%. From the total of 686 C. bovis cysts collected during the study period 289 (42.0%) were found to be viable while the other 397 (58.0%) were non-viable. Three predictors namely site, age and body condition were found to be significantly associated with C. bovis detection (p < 0.05). For human taeniasis, among the total of 900 respondents interviewed in Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa towns 432, 48.0% (95%CI, 44.7-51.3) had contracted Taenia saginata infestation. From 300 interviewed respondents from each town Babile town 51.6% (n=155/300) had the highest infestation of T. saginata than Jigjiga 48% (n=144/300) and Dire Dawa town 44.3% (n=133/300). Risk factors namely occupation, sex, marital status, educational status and raw beef consumption were found to be significantly associated with T. saginata infestation (p < 0.05). The findings of this study indicated the importance of bovine cysticercosis and taeniasis in the study area. Therefore, attention should be given to the public awareness and detailed meat inspection to be safe to public health and promote meat industry in the country.