High Prevalence of Human and Cattle Fascioliasis in Zaria and Environs: An Emerging Zoonotic Problem

Background: Fascioliasis is an important global neglected tropical foodborne zoonosis. It causes economic losses in animals and recurrent health challenges in humans. It is misdiagnosed with other conditions which present similar signs, as a result, its true prevalence is not known. This study reports the current prevalence of fascioliasis and the association between fascioliasis and risk factors in cattle and humans in Zaria and environs, Kaduna, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 202 slaughter cattle and 186 human subjects. Formol ether sedimentation and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay techniques were used for sample examination. Chi-square was used to test for association between Fasciola species infection and factors like age, sex, breed and body condition score. Kappa statistic (K) was used to determine the level of agreement between the tests used. Results: The prevalence of Fasciola species infection in cattle was 76 (37.6%) and humans was 183 (98.4%). Formol ether and bile sedimentation techniques had slight agreement (K=0.041) in detecting Fasciola species infection in cattle. Fasciola species infection was highest in female human subjects 102 (54.8%) and adults (25 years and 59 years) 77 (41.6%). Fascioliasis was not significantly associated with breed, age and body condition score in cattle as well as gender and age in human subjects. Conclusion: Fascioliasis is highly prevalent in humans and cattle indicating its emergence and endemicity respectively in the study area and the need for intervention.