Porcine cysticercosis : Prevalence at Ediofe pig slaughter slabs and its risk factors at Pajulu Sub-County Arua District

Abstract

Porcine cysticercosis is an important zoonosis in many developing countries. Cysticercosis poses a serious public health risk and causes economic losses to pig production/ pig farmers. There was no available data on the prevalence and risk factors associated with porcine cysticercosis at Ediofe pig slaughter slabs and Pajulu Sub-county respectively. This was a cross-sectional study that aimed at determining the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis based on macroscopic meat inspection at slaughter at Ediofe slaughter slabs and risk factors associated with porcine cysticercosis in Pajulu Sub-county, Arua District. The study aimed at determining the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis at slaughter at Ediofe pig slaughter slabs and risk factors inPajulu Sub-county. A total of 64 pigs were examined for Cysticercus cysts at ante-mortem and postmortem at Ediofe pig slaughter slabs. The risk factors for occurrence of porcine cysticercosis was assessed and evaluated through semi structured questionnaires, interviews and by direct observation in homesteads in selected villages of Pajulu Sub-county. Of the 64 pigs inspected at ante-mortem and postmortem 03 had cysticerci giving a percentage of 4.69% of the inspected pigs. The cysts were found under the tongue, thoracic wall and in the gluteal muscles. Pig Husbandry was observed to be a factor as 80% of the farmers tethered their pigs, 89% kept pigs at a distance of about 10 metres for safety reasons, 80% of the farmers fed pigs on vegetation where contamination of vegetation/vegetables with Teania solium eggs was a possibility, 88% of the farmers did not provide water for their pigs, Latrine coverage was found to be lacking in some sections of the communities as 28% respondents and their 24% neighbours did not have latrines, Veterinary attention like deworming was lacking in some communities as 76% admitted they did not deworm their pigs, Slaughter of pigs in un-gazetted areas where meat inspection was not carried out was common, 80% slaughters were done within the villages without any inspection, 63% of the respondents stated there was no inspection of pork done before pork was taken for sale in the markets and knowledge about Cysticercosis in pigs was also lacking in some communities as 72% were not aware that Cysticercosis infection occurs in pork. The prevalence was 4.69% and there was traditional husbandry system practiced characterized by tethering and scavenging, inadequate pit latrine coverage, illegal slaughter places were used for slaughter of pigs, inadequate pork inspection services were registered, inadequate veterinary attention and inadequate knowledge about cysticercosis was registered in Pajulu Sub-county.