Prevalence of Liver Fluke Infections Among Camels Slaughtered in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Liver fluke infections present considerable challenges to the sustainability of meat 
production within the livestock industry and are a major cause of economic losses 
for farmers worldwide. Addressing these parasitic infections through informed 
Interventions are crucial to implementing effective control strategies. While a wealth 
of data exists regarding liver fluke infections in many regions of Nigeria, particularly 
where camels are raised, there remains a notable gap in information specific to 
Bauchi State. This is concerning, given the growing popularity of camel meat and 
other camel-derived products in this region. To address this gap, an abattoir-based 
survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of liver fluke infections in 204 camels 
slaughtered at the Azare and Bauchi central abattoirs between October 2022 and 
May 2023. Both faecal and bile samples were collected from the camels and 
analyzed using the formol-ether concentration technique and direct microscopy. 
Out of the 204 faecal samples examined, 2 (0.9%) tested positive for Dicrocoelium 
dendriticum, a species of liver fluke. Statistical analysis of the data, including age, 
sex and the source of the camels, using chi-square analysis at a 95% confidence 
interval, revealed no significant association between these variables and the 
infection rate (P > 0.05). Although the overall prevalence of liver fluke infection was 
found to be low in the surveyed camels, the findings highlight the need for ongoing 
preventive measures. It is recommended that farmers in Bauchi State be 
encouraged to consistently use anti-parasitic agents to reduce the burden of 
parasitic infections. This will not only enhance meat production but also contribute 
to the overall health and sustainability of the livestock industry in the region.