PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF LIVER FLUKE INFECTIONS IN DANISH CATTLE HERDS

摘要

Fasciola hepatica, a trematode parasite (liver fluke), infects a wide range of host species, including cattle. Fasciolosis is prevalent world-wide and causes economic losses to the livestock industry. Knowledge on prevalence, spatial distribution, andrisk factors is needed to investigate the extent of the problem and to explore cost-effective strategies to control the disease. A retrospective study was performed using liver inspection data for the period 2011 to 2013. Spatial analysis was carried out, to investigate whether the infection was driven by local environmental factors. The association between herd level and environmental risk factors and prevalence of F. hepatica infection was evaluated. The per annum herd prevalence estimates for fasciolosis increased over the three years from 25.6% in 2011 to 28.4% in 2012 and 29.3% in 2013. Among herd factors, trading with infected herds was a risk factor on large organic dairy and in non-dairy conventional herd type holdings, and presence of environmental factors like streams, wetlands and pastures were significantly associated with the occurrence of fasciolosis.