Animals (Nov 2021)

Occurrence and Distribution of Fasciolosis in a Cohort of Ovine Livestock Restricted to a Mountain Plateau in Central Portugal

  • Catarina Coelho,
  • Rita Cruz,
  • Fernando Esteves,
  • Helena Vala,
  • Maria A. Pereira,
  • Irina Amorim,
  • Carmen Nóbrega,
  • João R. Mesquita

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123344
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 12
p. 3344

Abstract

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Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that is widespread in Europe, having been reported in ruminants of several European countries and causing an important economic impact. This study ascertained the occurrence and distribution of fasciolosis in Portuguese ovine livestock by assessing F. hepatica IgG antibodies in a cohort of confined sheep from a high-altitude region of central Portugal in a 2-year period. Positive animals were found in most locations and in both years, with 18 of the 92 animals (19.6% [95% confidence interval CI: 12.03–19.15]) and 17 of the same 92 animals (18.5% [95% CI: 11.15–27.93]) showing to be seropositive in the first year and second year, respectively (p = 0.85). Pasture contamination by F. hepatica eggs could be reduced by thorough anthelmintic treatments.

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