Incidence of Fasciola in slaughtered sheep and goats in certain districts of Andhra Pradesh, India

Epidemiology of Fasciola in sheep and goats slaughtered in Andhra Pradesh, India was studied. Examination of 5192 sheep and 2070 goat livers revealed 124 (2.38%) and 29 (1.40%) were positive for Fasciola with an overall prevalence rate of 2.10% with a significant difference between species (P=0.034) among the regions. Higher prevalence was recorded in ewes (3.50%) and does (1.70%) than rams (2.10%) and bucks (1.24%) with a significant variation in sheep (P=0.007). The incidence was highest in young sheep and goats (2.61% and 1.62%) than adults (1.86% and 1.25% in 1–3 yrs and 2.11% and 1.22% in more than 3 years age), respectively with no significant variation between the different age groups. The seasonal prevalence showed highest incidence in summer (2.89% and 1.53%) followed by winter (2.35% and 1.51%) and rainy seasons (1.19% and 0.91%) in sheep and goats, respectively with a significant difference in sheep (P=0.017).