Prevalence of Fascioliasis and Associated Direct Economic Losses in Cattle Slaughtered at Municipal Abattoirs in Fako Division, South-West Region of Cameroon

Background: Fascioliasis is known globally to be an important helminthic disease of ruminants caused by liver fluke species of the genus Fasciola, and it is one of the most neglected tropical zoonotic diseases that can lead to human infection. It has the widest geographic spread of any emerging zoonotic disease, and it occurs in many countries of the world. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica through fecal examination and associated risk factors of fascioliasis infection. Secondly, to estimate financial losses due to liver condemnation in three municipal abattoirs in three Subdivisions in Fako Division. Materials and Methods: From September 2024 to February 2025, 565 cattle were brought for slaughter at municipal abattoirs. Postmortem examinations were employed. Fecal samples were collected post-slaughter and analyzed using the sedimentation technique. Livers were inspected for liver flukes through visual observations, palpation, and incisions. The weight of condemned livers was recorded to estimate financial losses based on the average market price for liver. Analyses for the comparisons of proportions were made to animals affected by F. hepatica, whereas the economic losses due to liver condemnation were analyzed by chi-square to determine the existence of differences among the proportions. Analysis of means (ANOM) was made to determine the differences in proportions within the general average. Results: Out of 565 cattle examined, 342 (60.5%) were positive for Fasciolia hepatica. The prevalence of infection was not significantly different in Buea (62.4%) compared to Tiko (59.8%) and Limbe 1 (56.5%) (P>0.024). Additionally, the findings indicated that the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica was significantly higher (P<0,05) during the dry season (62.1%) compared to 46.4% in the rainy season. The total weight of condemned livers was 983.25 kg, which was equivalent to financial loss estimates of 2,949,790 FCFA. Conclusion: Fasciola hepatica was prevalent in the three localities of Fako Division. It resulted in great economic losses to the meat sellers. Most farmers were not aware of this infection and its zoonotic nature.