Prevalence of Fasciola Species among Cattle Slaughtered in Lafia Modern Abattoir, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Fasciolosis is an economically important parasitic disease of domestic ruminants caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. The infection leads to considerable financial losses through liver condemnation and decreased productivity. This study investigated prevalence of Fasciola species among cattle slaughtered at the Lafia Modern Abattoir, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Over three-month period (June to August 2025), 400 cattle were examined post-mortem for adult flukes and characteristic liver lesions. Of these, 68 (17%) were infected with Fasciola species. with Fasciola gigantica being the predominant species identified. Infection rates were higher in females (19.2%) than in males (15.1%) and were most prevalent in older cattle (>4 years). The findings demonstrate that fasciolosis remains a major cause of liver condemnation in Lafia abattoir, indicating ongoing exposure of cattle to contaminated pastures and water sources. Regular deworming, improved drainage of grazing areas, and increased farmer awareness are recommended to reduce infection rates.