Abstract:
Bovine cysticercosis is an infection of cattle caused by the larval stage of Cysticercus bovis, the
human intestinal cestodes and it has economic important and public health importance.
Cysticercus bovis has zoonotic implications with economic losses from organ contamination
and treatment costs. In developing countries such as Ethiopia, where hygienic standards are
low and residents customarily eat raw or undercooked meat, the disease is prevalent. Humans
are the definitive (mandatory) host for the tapeworm and cattle are the most common
intermediate host. Cattle become infected when they ingest eggs that were shed in human feces.
The eggs adhere to grass and other vegetation, where they can survive for several weeks to
months. Once ingested by cattle, they develop into larvae and migrate to muscle tissue, most
commonly to the masseter muscles or around the jaw, tongue and triceps muscles. A cross
sectional study was conducted between September 2022 to March 2024 to evaluate the
prevalence and of bovine cysticercosis and its determining associated factors to it in North
West, Ethiopia Sululta town. Data were collected from active abattoir and through
questionnaire survey. Out of 384 carcasses examined, 15 (3.91%) were found to be infected
with Cysticercus bovis. Cyst prevalence per organs was 4.90% (10) in masseter, 4.41% (3)
tongue, 2.99% (2) triceps muscle, and 0% (0) liver. Bovine cysticercosis was found to be 71
(18.49%) in medium, 291(75.78%) good and 22(5.73%) obese body condition cattle. Of the
total 276 C. bovis cysts detected, 15 (3.91%) were found to be alive. Of the total 100
interviewed respondents, 23 (23%) had contracted Taenia saginata infection. The prevalence
was 18 (78.26%) in males and 5 (21.74%) in females, 15 (54.17%) in government employees.
Human taeniasis prevalence showed significant (p0.05) difference was recorded between age of
respondents, education level, latrine availability and meat consumption habit of respondents.
The study revealed the presence of bovine cysticercosis and its public health hazards need
increased awareness of the health impact of Cysticercosis to safeguard the community.
