Authors

Discussion

Fasciolosis and schistosomiasis are neglected tropical diseases, caused by trematodes belonging to the genus Fasciola and Schistosoma respectively. Occurrence of these parasites is highly associated with the distribution of their intermediate, final and reservoir host species. Wildlife-livestock interactions and livestock management practices could influence the spread of these parasites in a given area. Therefore, this study focuses on establishing the prevalence of Schistosoma and Fasciola parasites in cattle and goats as well as in the free-ranging wild mammals that visit and interact with people and their livestock in human settlements. People, livestock and wild animals often share water sources in the study area and thus potentially exchange parasites. Fresh fecal samples from both wild (82) and domestic animals (282) were collected randomly from the grazing areas and water sources frequently visited by humans and animals in Kagadi district and Kanara town council, Ntoroko district. Formo-ether sedimentation technique was used to concentrate the eggs that were later identified morphologically under a compound microscope. Preliminary findings over a period of four months from October 2020 to January 2021 indicate that Fasciola parasites are prevalent in cattle and goats in the study area with higher prevalence in cattle (58-60%) compared to goats (31-30%). Schistosoma bovis was only detected among 6 of the 222 cattle faecal samples (3%). Fasciola parasite eggs were detected among the samples of hippopotamus 22 (61%), baboons 1 (7%), and warthogs 1 (8%) and none in the 22 elephant samples. In conclusion, Fasciola spp and Schistosoma bovis parasites occur in the study area both at higher ground up the rift valley escarpment (alt. 1100-1230m) and at the lake shores (alt. 610-630m).

Key words: Zoonosis; Fasciolosis; Bovine schistosomiasis; Wildlife-livestock interaction; Uganda