Title: Epidemiological Study of Bovine Fasciolosis: Prevalence and Risk Factor Assessment at Shahjadpur Upazila of Bangladesh
Abstract: Fasciolosis is an economically important parasitic disease of cattle in Bangladesh.The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle and identifying the potential risk factors associated with the disease.A cross-sectional survey was carried out from November 2012 to October 2013 on bovine fasciolosis in and around Shahjadpur upazila of Bangladesh.For this, a total of 762 fecal samples were collected from crossed breed cattle and all samples were subjected to standard sedimentation test at Animal Health Laboratory of BLRI regional station, Shahjadpur, Bangladesh.The overall prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was found to be 66.14% from 504 positive samples.From the various risk factor analysed, age categories of cattle, sex and seasonal influence were found to be significantly associated (p<0.01) with the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis.When considered the relationship with sex, it was observed that female (70.3%) cattle had significantly (p<0.01)higher than male (55.23%).As regards to age, bovine fasciolosis was significantly (p<0.01)higher in old cattle (76.43%) compared to adult (68.69%) and young (48.62%).The seasonal influence of outbreak of this disease was significantly (p<0.01)higher in summer season (72.44%) followed by winter (67.75%) and rainy season (58.55%).It can be concluded that these risk factors need to be taken in consideration when designing effective fasciolosis control management system for cattle in Bangladesh.