Fascioliasis is an importantparasitic disease caused by the liver flukeFasciola gigantica in Malaysia. Theinfestation of liver fluke in ruminants;cattle, sheep, goats and buffaloes can resultin economic losses to the country mainlydue to the drop in livestock production,reduction in growth rate, condemnationof liver, reduction in draught power andhigh usage of anthelmintics. This paperdescribes a case of liver fluke infestationin a two year old male buffalo that waseventually slaughtered. The buffalowas reported to be emaciated and wasreared in an oil palm plantation for useas draught power in buffalo-drawn cartsloaded with oil palm bunches; alongwith 18 other buffaloes of various ages.Previously, there were two cases of buffalodeaths from the same herd. The organand faecal samples were sent to KuantanRegional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL)for diagnostic work up. The receivedsamples were then sent to parasitology,histopathology and bacteriology sectionsfor laboratory analysis and confirmationon the pathogens. The bacteriology resultshowed Escherichia coli isolated in allinternal organs. Presence of adult flukes(Fasciola gigantica) were observed inthe bile duct of the liver through grossexamination and also histopathologicalevaluation and supported by the positiveresult of Fasciola ova via sedimentationtest conducted from the faecal sample, thusjustifying the final diagnosis as severe liverfluke infestation leading to emaciation andsimultaneously having colibacillosis.

Trypanosomiasis positive cases were reported in Sahom Farm Retreatin Gopeng, Perak; with multispecies livestock animals. Nzi and Vavoua traps were applied to survey the population of biting flies; stable flies (Muscidae: Stomoxyinae) and horse flies (Tabanidae)as the vector for surra. Results indicated the presence of Trypanosomiasis infection diagnosed by buffy coat examination, thinblood stained smears and serological test (Surra Sero K-Set test) and identification of its insect vectors. The presence of bothbiting flies provides the missing link between the occurrence of the disease and host or environmental factors precipitatingthe disease. Besides trypanosomiasis in cattle, other parasitic infections were also recorded with heavy infections for liver fluke (Fasciola gigantica ova) and coccidia oocysts. Therefore, some control measures are recommended to eradicate the vectors and to treat infected animals in order to prevent the dissemination ofthe trypanosmiasis.

Zoonotic parasitic gastroenteritis has been well-known as a serious limitation to humans as well as livestock productivityin terms of man-power, pathology and fiscal losses, as human infection with these helminths from cattle can resultfrom consumption of meat containing the infective stage of the worm. This study therefore investigates the presence ofzoonotic helminth infections among cattle in Minna metropolis, and scientific basis for their potential transmission to humanpopulation. A total of 184 diarrhoeic faecal samples from cattle were collected from September 2014 to June 2015 in Minna,Niger state and processed using the direct faecal microscopic examination techniques. The obtained results showed that a total of 81 (44%) samples were positive including Ascaris sp, Fasciola gigantica, Trichuris sp. and Taenia sp. with infection rates of 22.3%, 12%, 2.2% and 0.5% respectively, and mixed infections of Fasciola gigantic with Ascaris sp. (4.3%) , and Ascaris sp. with Trichuris sp. (2.7%). Poor human hygiene, inadequate livestock husbandry managements and restriction of animals to residential areas are the major factors responsible for the high prevalence of zoonotic helminths and geo-helminths in the study area. Therefore veterinarians, animal handlers and livestock owners should practice personal hygienic and safe management practices for animal rearing and treatments.

A retrospective study covering a period of ten years (2001–2010) was conducted using postmortem meat inspection records of the Department of Veterinary Services in Gaborone to determine the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in Botswana. Meat inspection records of monthly and annual returns from the two main export abattoirs in the country were examined, as well as the data collected on the total number of cattle slaughtered and the number of livers condemned due to Fasciola gigantica infection. Only 1250 of the approximately 1.4 million cattle slaughtered were infected with F. gigantica (0.09%, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.0% – 0.3%). No distinct seasonal pattern was observed in condemnation rates of livers. However, the pattern of distribution of fasciolosis was higher (but not significant) in cattle that originated from areas with high rainfall and more permanent water bodies than those from relatively low rainfall areas with a transitory water system. It is recommended that a longitudinal survey should be carried out at the abattoirs and farms to determine the prevalence of the disease in cattle of different ages, sex and breed as well as the place of origin in the country. The present study indicated that the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle is low and the disease is therefore of less significance in Botswana than other African countries for which information is available. Keywords: Botswana; cattle; Fasciola gigantica; liver; prevalence