Challenge and Prevalence of Fasciolosis in Cattle in Pursat Province, Cambodia

Abstract

Poor nutrition and fasciolosis have significantly decreased cattle productivity. Flood is one of the well-known Climate Changes affected cattle production in Cambodia. The present of permanent water bodies in these inundated areas may be provided favorable environment for lymnaeid snail, the intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica. Therefore, the study aimed to identify challenges in cattle production and the risk factors of F. gigantica infection in cattle after flood in Ou Tapong, Bakan, Pursat, Cambodia during December 2014 to June 2015. The 88 households were interviewed on challenges and risks of husbandry practice by using questionnaire. The total 171 fecal samples from flooding area (n=108) and non-flood area (n=63) depend on the number cattle in each area. Age, sex and health status were determined individually. Fecal were examined by using Modified Balivat Fasciola egg and counting technique. The result found that there was significance (p<0.001) between the prevalence of fasciolosis in flooded areas (25.00%) and non-e flooded areas (1.60%). It was noted that higher infection rates in female (19.70%) and male (2.90%) were found. The present of F. gigantica was found in older cattle (≥ 3years) that was significantly higher than young cattle (<3years) at the rates of 23.20 % and 7.90 %, respectively (p<0.01). The prevalence F. gigantica was highly different (p<0.001) among emaciated, thin, medium and fat of body condition score of cattle. Risk factor for cattle fasciolosis infection was demonstrated that cattle was fed by cut and carry water grass derived from inundated area (natural lake) and had significant association (OR=0.61) with prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle through logistic regression model. Following by focused group discussions, problems encountered in cattle raising caused flood including pen flooding, lack of feed and susceptible to disease. However, only 25.00% prepared feed before flood season and others did as habitation in local. Therefore, flood may be a factor to contribute to occurrence of fasciolosis in cattle. Traditional adaptation in cattle raising of farmers seems to be neglected to improve cattle production.