Cerebral Coenurosis in Sheep in Ethiopia

In a survey carried out in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) from November 2010 to March 2011, 4.7% (21/445) sheep were found affected with coenurosis. The prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis was 2.7% in males and 5.1% in females, though the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).. Postmortem examination revealed 1 to 5 cysts in each animal. The great majority of the cysts (94.4%) were located in the cerebral hemisphere while 5.4% were on both sides of the middle cerebellar hemisphere. A retrospective analysis of sheep slaughtered at the Institute during the last 13 years revealed 3.4% to 8.9% prevalence of the disease. Total annual financial loss due to condemnation of slaughtered animal brain or carcass was estimated at 8330 Ethiopian Birr (490 US$). The study indicates coenurosis to be an important parasitic disease resulting in great economic loss. 

Authors:
Asefa Deressa, Tesham Tilahun*, Ayele Tadesse*, Gashaw Gebrewold, Mekoro Beyene, Sileshi Negatu*
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute, Addis Ababa, *Gondar University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Contributing author: Asefa Deressa, EHNRI, Addis Ababa