Review on Bovine Schstosomiasis: Economic Importance and Status in Ethiopia
Author(s):
Addisu Gebru Zeru
Parasitisms are one major problems of livestock production in Ethiopia. Schistosomiasis has an economical important disease in sub Saharan African
country including Ethiopia. It is one of zonotic important disease cause illness in humans. Schistosomes are members of the genus Schistosoma, family
Schistosomatidae. Schistosomes are dioecious (unisexual) worms, which are an exception among trematodes and have an indirect life cycle Adult worms
are obligate parasites of the vascular system of vertebrates Transmissions occur through Schistosoma parasites can penetrate the skin of individuals who
come in contact with contaminated water, typically when they are watering, grassing, swimming, or washing. Pathogenesis is due to the adult schistosoma
in the egg laying stage due to the irritation caused by the eggs lodged in the tissues, which are forced to find their way through small venules to the
epithelium and lumen of the gut. Clinical signs ranging from acute form (profuse diarrhea and dysentery, dehydration, anorexia, anurea) chronic form
i.e formation of inflammatory foci, granuloma, fibrosis, and ultimately the obstruction of portal irrigation. Diagnosis is based on the clinico-pathological
picture, parasitological techniques and post mortem findings. Several drugs such as trivalent antimonials lucanthone, hycanthone, nitridazole, trichlorphan,
haoxon, amoscanate and praziquantel have been used to treat visceral and nasal schistosomiasis but praziquantel is drug of choice for the treatment of
b.schistosomiasis. A combination of control measures included drainage, fencing, and snail control in the long run; regular strategic deworming; grazing
management apply to control and prevent the disease. The economic impact of schistosomiasis and the underlying tradeoffs between water resources
development and public health concerns have yet to be quantified. In this review the prevalence is ranging from to low 5.7% (in and aroundNekemte, East
Wollega zone, Western Ethiopia) to high 26.3% (in and Around Gozamen District, Northwest Ethiopia).
