A Survey on Economic Importance of small Ruminants Dicrocoeliasis in East Azarbaijan Province

Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic disease of herbivores and human producing direct and indirect economic losses due to reduction in animal products and condemnation of infected livers. This study was carried out in a one year period from winter 2007 to autumn 2008 at meat inspection. Considering statistics criteria, the liver of 2209 sheep and 301 goats in selected abattoirs: Tabriz, Mianeh,Bonab and Malekan located in center, east and south west of East Azerbayejan was examined for dicrocoeliasis. Systematic random sampling was used and results were analyzed by the statistical software program SPSS. Chi square was used to compare infection with the type of animal being examined. Since the average weight of a liver is about 900 gr. and equal weight of pieces locally condemned to a complete liver and monetary value of a liver is about 100,000 Rials, the nutritional value and economic losses caused by dicrocoeliosis was determined. Accordingly, 549/5 kg. of liver and 54950000 Rials were determined respectively. To extend these findings for total number of sheep and goats slaughtered annually in East Azerbaijan (408104) it was estimated that 27833 kg of liver and 2783300000 Rials were the weight of condemned liver and its monetary value respectively. The differences between infection and animal type were statistically significant.