Estimated annual economic loss from organ condemnation, decreased carcass weight and milk yield due to bovine hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus, Batsch, 1786) in Ethiopia

Post-slaughter survey data collected over a period of 15 years (1985-1999) by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM), Addis Ababa University (AAU) were used as a basis for the analysis of estimation of the economic significance of bovine hydatidosis in Ethiopia. The analysis output revealed a 35.15% mean annual prevalence of bovine hydatidosis. The total estimated economic loss from organ condemnation, carcass weight and milk yield decrease amounts to 1,691,266,200 ETB (101,203,734 USD). This is equivalent to a loss of 475.40 ETB (28.45 USD) per every infected slaughtered cattle and 249.00 ETB (14.90 USD) per every infected milking cow. The results of the present study showed that hydatidosis is a highly prevalent cattle disease in Ethiopia with considerable direct and indirect economic losses. The magnitude of loss per infected subject warrants the need to mount an integrated nation-wide hydatidosis control program involving public education, canine health care, proper handling and disposal of infected organs, stray dog population management and institution of strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) in slaughterhouses and public health legislative reinforcements. The authors recommend that hydatidosis control program should be designed and implemented in the context on ‘One Health’ initiative by integrating it with other zoonotic disease control program and in partnerships with animal and public health actors as well as other relevant stakeholders.