Prevalence of Hydatidosis in Cattle and Goats Slaughtered in Selected Abattoirs in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Livestock provide meat, milk and hides in all parts of the world which play an important role in improving the national economy of any nation. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in cattle and goats slaughtered in selected abattoirs in Kaduna State, Nigeria from February – December, 2022. Gross examination was carried out by visual inspection and palpation of viscera of 1,260 animals, comprising of 673 cattle and 587 goats in order to determine the prevalence, age and sex specific prevalence in cattle and goats. A total of 81(6.4%) out of 1260 animals of the study population harboured one or more cysts in liver and lungs. The overall prevalence in cattle and goats was 6.4%, the difference in prevalence rate among cattle (6.2%) and goats (6.6%) were not statistically significant (P>0.05). There was association of prevalence of hydatid cysts with goats (OR=1.069, 95% CI=0.681-1.678) but it was not significant. Age-specific prevalence in cattle was recorded in 5 years and above age group (6.9%) while among the goats, the highest prevalence was recorded in 3-4 years age group, (OR=1.869) but the association was not significant. Prevalence was significantly associated with cattle and goats in 3–4 years age group (OR=1.133, 95% CI=0.677-1.896). Difference in prevalence of hydatid cysts among the age group in cattle and goats was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). Sex-specific prevalence revealed highest prevalence of hydatid cysts among female cattle (6.8%) and goats (8.7%). There was association between prevalence of cysts and female cattle (OR=1.198) and goats (OR=1.845), the association was not significant.  The present study revealed that cattle and goats slaughtered in the selected abattoirs in Kaduna State, Nigeria harbor hydatid cysts that perpetuate the transmission of hydatidosis in the area thereby posing significant public health problem in livestock. Therefore, there is a need to find ways of limiting or eradicating this parasitic disease.