Abstract:
Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most important zoonotic and economically important
disease prevalent in different parts of Ethiopia and the world at large. Across-sectional study
design was conducted from September 2021 to December 2021 on hydatidosis in camel
slaughtered at Jigjiga Municipal Abattoir with the objectives of assessment public awareness,
prevalence, identify associated risk factors, and tissue distribution patterns of cystic
echinococcosi. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to determine the level of
knowledge and prevention practice of the community about camel hydatidosis. Out of 432
one-humped camels examined during meat inspection, hydatid cysts were detected in 53
(12.3%) of them. From a total of 1728 organs inspected, 115 cysts were detected, of which
35/115 (30.4%) were fertile, 47/115 (40.9%) sterile and 33/115 (28.7%) calcified. From 35
fertile cysts 21(18.3) of them were viable, from these 14(22.6%) and 7(15.6) were found in the
lung and liver respectively. Anatomically more frequent cyst were found in the lung (58.5%)
followed by liver (20.8)Based onAnimal sex, the prevalence of camel hydatidosis were
determined to be higher in females (27%) as compared to males (6.3%). Old (19.55%) and
adult (9.3%) animals had the highest prevalence of camel hydatidosis than the young (8.3%)
animals. The annual direct monetary loss associated with camel hydatidosis as a result of
organ condemnation was estimated to be 253,568.4(4156.84) per annum. Only 31.8% of the
respondents have good knowledge about hydatidosis and partially apply prevention practice
of camel hydatidosis in the area. The occurrence of hydatid cyst in camels was associated with
sex, age and body conditions of the animal. The economic loss due to the disease is found
high, 253,568.4 Birr(4156.84 USD) per annum. In addition the knowledge of the people about
hydatid cyst and applications of prevention practices in the area are found low. Therefore
appropriate control and preventive measures need to be taken in order to minimize risks
associated with hydatid cyst
