PUBLIC AWARENESS, ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF CAMEL HYDATIDOSIS IN CAMELS SLAUGHTERED AT JIG JIGA MUNICIPAL ABATTOIR, EASTERN- ETHIOPIA

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