Epidemiological status of bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis in Eastern Ethiopia

Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis are among the leading cause of economic loss in Ethiopia due to organ condemnation and treatment costs. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to July 2018 on randomly selected carcasses from Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa town municipal abattoirs to estimate the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis. Besides, a questionnaire was administered to the human population of these towns to understand risk of human taeniasis. The overall prevalence of Cysticercus bovis was 27.3% (302/1108). Among the examined predilection sites, the highest prevalence was observed in the liver (9.6%), and the tongue (8.5%). From the total of 686C. bovis cysts collected, 289 (42.0%) were viable, while the other 397 (58.0%) were non-viable cysts. Three predictors, namely study location, age and body condition, were significantly associated with C. bovis (p ≤ 0.001). Among the 900 respondents interviewed, 432 had contracted Taenia saginata infection. Risk factors like occupation, sex, marital status, educational status and raw beef consumption habit were significantly associated with T. saginata infection (p ≤ 0.001). The findings of this study indicated the importance of bovine cysticercosis and taeniasis in the study areas. Therefore, attention should be given to public awareness and detailed meat inspection for the safety of the public and promotion of the country's meat industry.