Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis in Central Malawi

Fasciolosis is an important helminth disease of livestock and other ruminants. This study investigated the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in the Lilongwe and Salima districts in central Malawi. About 384 and 204 faecal samples were collected in Lilongwe and Salima districts respectively. The faecal samples were analyzed using sedimentation test to detect the presence of Fasciola eggs. The presence of Lymnaea snails was also observed in the catchment area. Lymnaea snails had been reported in both Lilongwe and Salima districts. Cattle breed had a significant effect on the prevalence of fasciolosis (p= 0.001) while age of cattle had no significant effect on the prevalence of fasciolosis (p= 0.147). Lilongwe registered a prevalence rate of 19.3%, while Salima registered a lower prevalence rate of 15.7%. There was a higher prevalence rate of Fasciola in Lilongwe than in the Salima districts.