PREVALENCE AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF LIVERFLUKE INFESTATION IN SLAUGHTERED CARABAOS AND CATTLE

Abstract

Separate surveys were conducted in Baybay and Ormoc, Leyte to determine the prevalence of liverfluke infestation or fascioliasis and the economic importance of infested livers of slaughtered carabaos and cattle. Results showed that there was no significant relationship between the age of the animal and infestation rate. However, there was an increasing trend of infection in cattle from 1-8 years old. The type of pasture (lowland or upland, dry or wet) was found to be significantly related to liverfluke infestation rate (P<.05). There was significant relationship between the established system of feeding roughage and liverfluke infestation rate in carabaos but not in cattle. An average liverfluke prevalence rate of 18% in cattle and 59% in carabaos was found in Ormoc City. In Baybay, the prevalence rate was 57% in carabaos and 18.5% in cattle. The average percentage liver condemnation for carabaos was 22%, and 2.42% for cattle, which would amount to an average annual loss of P5865 and P462 per year, respectively.