Fascioliasis: A Neglected Zoonotic Disease of Global Public Health Importance

Fascioliasis is a neglected zoonotic disease of significant global veterinary and public health importance caused by the trematodes Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) and Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica). Approximately 180 million people are at risk worldwide, with an estimated 35 to 72 million currently infected. The disease affects both humans and livestock, causing substantial economic losses exceeding USD 3 billion annually in the agricultural sector. This review provides a comprehensive overview of fascioliasis, covering its historical background, parasite biology, life cycle, and global epidemiological distribution with emphasis on the current status in Iraq. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestations in humans and animals, and available diagnostic approaches including parasitological, immunological, and molecular methods are thoroughly examined. Treatment options, particularly triclabendazole and emerging alternatives, are discussed alongside the growing concern of drug resistance. The review highlights key risk factors contributing to disease transmission, including climate change, agricultural practices, dietary habits, and environmental modifications. Control and prevention strategies encompassing livestock management, snail control, health education, and future vaccine development are outlined. The re-emergence of fascioliasis as a major public health challenge necessitates enhanced surveillance, improved diagnostic capacity, integrated control measures, and increased awareness among healthcare professionals and communities in endemic regions, particularly in Iraq and globally.