Bovine Cysticercosis: Prevalence and Viability in Cattle Slaughtered at Shone Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

In order to ascertain the presence and survivability of Cysticercus bovis in cattle butchered at Shone Municipal Abattoir from August 2020 to May 2021, a cross-sectional study, a straightforward random sample approach was carried out. 28 (7.29%) of the 384 carefully chosen killed cattle tested positive for Cysticercus bovis. There were 126 cysts removed in all, of which 76 (or 60.32%) were still alive and the other 50 (or 39.68%) were degenerated. The anatomical distribution of cysticercosis was found to be in the liver, heart, shoulder muscle, tongue, masseter muscle, and lung in sequence, arranged in the order of the host of the cyst. The statistical analysis of infection rates based on animal source and sex did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05), but there was a significant age difference (p 0.05). In conclusion, bovine cysticercosis requires attention to safeguard public health and promote beef in the country. Therefore, effective control measures are necessary to prevent the spread of bovine cysticercosis and protect both animal and human health.