Prevalence and organ distribution of larval Oestrus ovis (Diptera : Oestridae), Cysticercus tenuicollis and Echinococcus granulosus  (Cestoda : Taenidae) in slaughtered sheep and goats at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia

Areej O. Bakhraibah

Volume : VI, Issue : III, March - 2016

Prevalence and organ distribution of larval Oestrus ovis (Diptera : Oestridae), Cysticercus tenuicollis and Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda : Taenidae) in slaughtered sheep and goats at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia

Areej O. Bakhraibah

Abstract :

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Oestrus ovis, Myiasis, Cysticercus tenuicollis and Echinococcus granulosus in sheep, goats, camel and cows. Methods: A total of 1099 sheep, 477 goats, 59 camel and 37 cows slaughtered in three different slaughter houses of Saudi Arabia Province covering a period (16 July to 29 July 2015 ) were carefully examined for these metacestodes. Results: Oestrus ovis was found in 182 (43%) goats and 162 (14.7%). Cysticercus tenuicollis was found in 99 goats (23.4%) and 5 (0.45%) sheeps. Echinococcus granulosus was found only in female goats (100% of female goat exanimate). Any infection was observed neither in cows nor in camel. Conclusions: The results suggest that Oestrus ovis, Cysticercus tenuicollis and Echinococcus granulosus are common and may constitute a health problem in sheep and goat and a source of economic loss in the meat industry, thus emphasizing the need for proper meat inspection and a great concern for both medical and veterinary authorities to design therapeutic and preventive programs to overcome this problem.