Livestock Research for Rural Development 28 (11) 2016 Guide for preparation of papers LRRD Newsletter

Citation of this paper

Prevalence, causes and economic losses resulting from condemnations in the slaughterhouses/slabs in Eastern and North-eastern zones of Tanzania

C Kiswaga, E L Mayenga1, F V Silayo2 and E S Swai3

Same District Council, Department of Livestock and Fisheries Development, P O Box 138 Same – Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
cainanjl2309@gmail.com
1 Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency – Central Veterinary Laboratory, Veterinary Complex, 131 Mandela Road, P O Box 9254, TVLA-CVL Temeke, 15487 Dar-es-Salaam.
2 Korogwe Town Council, Department of Livestock and Fisheries Development, P O Box 615 Korogwe, Tanzania.
3 Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Directorate of Veterinary Services, P O Box 9152 Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to January 2016 in slaughterhouses/ slabs of Same (Kilimanjaro) and Korogwe (Tanga) districts and Temeke municipality (Dar-es-Salaam region). The study aimed at establishing the causes of condemnations, determining the magnitude of detected diseases/ disease conditions during meat inspection and estimation of economic losses due to organs/carcass condemnation in cattle, goats, sheep and pigs.

A total of 952 cattle, 1133 goats and 811 sheep in Same district; 696 cattle, 305 goats and 165 sheep in Korogwe district; and 516 pigs in Temeke municipality were slaughtered and inspected thoroughly using the Tanzanian and Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) standard meat inspection procedures. The results revealed that the major causes of condemnations in all animal species were Fasciolosis, Cysticercosis, Stilesia hepatica, Hepatitis, Pneumonia, Abscess, Nephritis, Pericarditis, Splenomegaly, Pimplyguts, Calcified cysts, Cirrhosis, Emphysema, Renal cysts, Infarction, Flabbiness and Hydronephrosis. A total of 103 (3.6%) lungs, 32 (1.1%) intestines, 81 (2.8%) livers, 15 (0.5%) kidneys, 3 (0.1%) hearts and 30 (1.1%) spleens were condemned in Same district; 244 (20.9%) lungs, 140 (12.0%) livers, 127 (10.9%) kidneys, 61 (5.2%) hearts and 19 (1.6%) spleens were condemned in Korogwe district; and 12 (2.3%) kidneys, 10 (1.9%) whole carcass and 10 (1.9%) lungs in pigs were condemned in slaughterhouse of Temeke municipality. In Same district, out of 843 slaughtered female animals, 42(4.9%) were pregnant whereas in Korogwe district, 9(3.8%) out of 240 and Temeke municipality, 9(5.1%) out of 176 slaughtered female animals were pregnant. The economic loss as a result of organ and/or carcass condemnations was estimated to be 39,002.44 USD in Same district, 119,935.02 USD in Korogwe district and 46,791.56 USD in Temeke Municipality. The occurrence of Cysticercosis and Fasciolosis illustrate the possible public health risk and also presence of environmental contaminations. Therefore, the finding of this work underscore for the need to institute appropriate public health education, surveillance and disease control measures coupled with strict enforcement of Acts and regulations governing animal and public health and welfare.

Keywords: ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection, environmental contaminations, korogwe, public health, Same, slaughtered stocks, Temeke Dar-es-Salaam


Introduction

In Tanzania, livestock production is one of the largely dependable agricultural activities which satisfy the daily farmer’s needs. The sector contributes to national food and nutrition security, incomes and livelihood improvement. It has also a great impact to National economy by contributing 18% of the total GDP (Mellau et al 2011). Among slaughter stock, cattle provide about 70% of all meat consumed in the country whose production system is fundamentally traditional. The traditional livestock farming system (nomadism type of farming system) influences the periodic occurrences of livestock diseases to animals such as Tick-borne diseases (TBDs), Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and other diseases (Kiswaga et al 2014; Kivaria 2006). In addition, lung diseases like Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia (CBPP) and Contagious Caprine Pleural Pneumonia (CCPP) are the most important threatening diseases which cause considerable mortalities in ruminants. Post-mortem meat inspection has the potential role to detect non-symptomatic diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (Frankena et al 2007), CBPP, CCPP, Cysticercosis, Mareks and avian leucosis and animal welfare conditions such as tail-biting in pigs (Harley et al 2012) which may not be apparent during ante-mortem inspection of the animal upon arrival to the slaughterhouses/ slabs.

The value of meat inspection as defined by regulation (EC) No 854 of 2004 is an animal health surveillance tool on food safety even though this value may depend on the disease or welfare condition targeted. Despite this recognition, systematic collection and use of meat inspection data for epidemiological surveillance is scarce in Tanzania (Makondo et al 2014). This may stanch from the fact that the purpose of meat inspection was historically focused on the detection of zoonotic infections before being recently broadened to encompass the surveillance of animal diseases that pose a lesser risk to public health (Hardstaff et al 2012; Fricker et al 2008).

Nevertheless, the provision of veterinary services including animal disease control where these animals are kept (in the remote rural areas) is rarely done (Kambarage 1995; Kiswaga et al 2014). Moreover, almost all animals brought for slaughter in slaughterhouses/ slabs are coming from rural areas where the veterinary services are scarce. In this regard, it is possible that these animals harbour either chronic or subclinical infections which are hardly detected during ante-mortem. Thus, the slaughterhouses/ slabs can be a good source of information about the disease status in animal and zoonoses reflected in human population. Furthermore, it provides good opportunity for detecting diseases of both economic and public health importance. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing the causes of slaughterhouse/ slab condemnations, determining the magnitude of detected diseases/ disease conditions during meat inspection and estimation of economic losses due to organ or whole carcass condemnation in cattle, goats, sheep and pigs in Same and Korogwe districts and Temeke municipality in Dar-es-Salaam city. The overriding purpose is to generate data base that will inform future animal disease surveillance design and control programmes.


Materials and methods

The study areas

The study was conducted in Same, Hedaru, Makanya, Kisiwani and Maore slaughterhouse/ slabs located in Same district (Kilimanjaro region); Korogwe slaughterhouse in Korogwe district (Tanga region); and Temeke Piggery slaughterhouse in Dar-es-salaam region.

Same district is located between 4OS – 4.45OS and 37.5OE – 38.5OE (South – East). It has three geographical landscapes namely upland plateau, middle plateau and lowland plateau which receives a rainfall of 1250 – 2000mm, 800 – 1250mm, 500 – 800mm with temperature ranging from 15 – 25OC, 25 – 30OC and 28 – 33OC, respectively. The area receives rainfall twice per year though it is little in lowlands due to semi-arid type of climate. Many pastoralists are located in Eastern and Western lowlands and few in the middle and upland plateau. The eastern lowland zone is bordered with Mkomazi National Park where domestic – wildlife interface exists. The area experiences scarcity of water and pastures for a longer period of the year because of erratic and insufficient rainfall. It borders Mwanga district to the North, Simanjiro district (which belong to Manyara region) to the West and South-West, Lushoto district to the South-East, Korogwe district to the South and the Republic of Kenya to the North-East. The district has an estimated population of 154,332 cattle, 113,457goats and 70,997 sheep.

Korogwe district is located between 5° 9' 0" South, 38° 29' 0" East. It is bordered to the North by the Lushoto district, to the East by the Muheza district, to the South by the Handeni district and to the West by the Same district. Korogwe slaughterhouse is situated in Korogwe town along the main road from Dar-es-Salaam to Kilimanjaro region. It has a population of 4617 cattle, 5092 goats and 588 sheep.

Temeke municipality is located at 6°48' South, 39°17' East in Dar es Salaam city, on a natural harbour on the eastern coast of Africa, with sandy beaches in some areas. Due to close proximity to the equator and the warm Indian Ocean, the region experiences tropical climatic conditions, typified by hot and humid weather throughout of the year. They have also a tropical wet and dry climate. The annual rainfall is approximately 1,100mm per annum and in a normal year there are two rainy seasons: "the long rains" in April and May and "the short rains" in November and December. The pig population in Dar-es-Salaam has recently increased to an estimate of 7200 pigs (FAO 2001) that are reared in the city. This population of pigs does not meet the Dar es Salaam city pork demands that necessitate brought pigs from other regions. Over 70% of the slaughtered pigs in Dar-es-Salaam are outsourced from up country pig producing areas such as Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Singida regions.

The study animals

The source of animals brought to the slaughterhouse/ slabs came from within and outside study districts including Handeni, Kilindi and Kiteto districts. The pigs slaughtered in Temeke municipality originated from both within the Dar-es-Salaam region and other regions. Slaughtered animals are trekked or transported to the slaughterhouses/ slabs using vehicles.

Study design

A cross-sectional study was adopted in this work. The study targeted all cattle, shoats (goats and sheep) and pigs brought and slaughtered in the slaughterhouses/ slabs selected in the study areas. The animals were subjected to ante-mortem prior slaughter and later post-mortem inspection for detection of diseases/ disease conditions using National and FAO (Tanzania Meat Inspection Act of 1993; FAO 1994) standard meat inspection procedures.

Abattoir Survey

Data collection and pre-slaughter examination of animals

Each abattoir was visited (by respective abattoir meat inspector) daily, between the period of 16 November 2015 and 16 January 2016. Information collected at each visit included facility name and location, records of numbers slaughtered, sex, breed, age (estimated based on dentition) and source of slaughter stock. All animals presented for slaughter were physically observed a day or at least twelve hours prior to slaughter using standard ante mortem inspection procedures (Gracey, 1986) and judgments made based on Tanzanian and FAO meat inspection protocols (Tanzania Meat Inspection Act of 1993; FAO 1994). Inspection of the animals was made while at rest or in motion for any obvious signs of disease and others such as body score condition (emaciation, weakness) and physical lesions such as bruises, enlargement of superficial lymph nodes and infestation with external parasites and pests. Attention was made to the respiratory related signs like breathing pattern (labored/distressed), coughing (dry/moist), standing posture (nostril dilated, neck extended). Other areas like digestive related disorders (diarrheic) and demeanor were also observed during ante-mortem inspection. Due to the poor facilities (absence of lairage, expertise) at most slaughter points, pregnancy diagnosis was not done. Records on numbers to be slaughtered, source of slaughter stock and the lesion/bruise(s) observed were noted down in the pre-designed record sheet by meat inspectors in these abattoirs.

Postmortem inspection

Post slaughter examination involved visual examination of all carcasses and organs including palpation and incision of tissues/or organs as described by Gracey (1986). Gross pathological lesions such as the cysts, parasites, abscess and other abnormalities on each organ were recorded. In slaughtered female animals, presence of fetus (described as first or second or third trimester) was also checked. Pathological lesions were differentiated and judged according to guidelines on meat inspection. The meat was passed fit for human consumption based on Tanzanian Meat Act 1993 and FAO guidelines.

Assessment of Direct Economic Loss

The economic losses analysis of the condemned organs/carcasses was based on the number of animals slaughtered, local market prices per kilogram of organs/carcass, number of organs/carcasses condemned and number of kilograms of condemned organs/carcasses. The direct financial loss was estimated by the formula described below (Ejeh et al 2014);

DEL= nWx Av . P/kg

Where:

DEL stands for direct economic losses due to condemnations

stands for total number of condemned organs/ carcass for the period

Wstands for total weight of condemned organs/ carcass (in kgs) and

Av .P/Kg stands for average price of passed organ/ carcass per kilogram (in US$) whereas average price per kg of lungs was estimated to be (2.30), liver (3.69), heart (3.23), kidneys (2.30), spleen (1.38) and carcass (3.69).

Data Management and Statistical Analysis

The collected data from ante-mortem and post-mortem meat inspection were entered in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet 2010. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the proportions of ante-mortem findings and condemned organs. The proportions were further analyzed by Epi InfoTM (Version 7, Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, USA) software using a Chi-squared test in Stat Calc function to compare the rejection proportions among species at a critical probability of p<0.05. The quantification of economic losses of the condemned organs was also estimated using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.


Results

Slaughter characteristics and abnormalities/ condemnations estimates

In Same district, a total of 952 cattle, 1133 goats, 811 sheep (all local breeds) were pre-slaughter examined and slaughtered at the five selected slaughterhouse/ slabs representing an average daily slaughter of 15 cattle, 18 goats and 13 sheep, respectively. A total of 60 (6.3%) cattle, 4 (0.4%) goats and 8 (1.0%) sheep were found to have the abnormalities (Figure 1) but no animal was condemned during antemortem inspection. No respiratory related problems were detected during ante-mortem inspection. Tick infestations were higher in cattle (n =38; 4.0%) whereas in shoats no major problem was found. On the other hand, over the whole period of the study, a total of 696 cattle, 305 goats and 165 sheep (all local breeds) were slaughtered and inspected in Korogwe slaughter point representing an average daily slaughter of 11 cattle, 5 goats and 3 sheep, respectively. There were no physical abnormality/conditions detected during antemortem inspection for animals destined for slaughter in Korogwe district and Temeke municipality

Figure 1. Abnormal conditions found during ante-mortem inspection in Same district

The proportions of slaughtered pregnant cows, does and ewes in Same district and Korogwe district is as shown in Table 1 and 2, respectively.

Table 1. Distribution of slaughtered animal stock in Same district by species, breeds, age, sex and stage of gestation

Animal
species

Type of
Breed

Age of
slaughtered
animal

Number of slaughtered
animals by sex

Prevalence of slaughtered
pregnant animals
n (%)

Gestation
stage

M

F

Cattle

Local

5 - 6 years

267

80

19(23.8)

First trimester

3 - 4 years

267

34

6(17.7)

First trimester

 

Goats

Local

>3 years

421

268

12(4.5)

First trimester

2 - 3 years

327

117

0(0.0)

 

Sheep

Local

>3 years

467

344

5(1.5)

First trimester

 

Total

1,749

843

42(4.9)



Table 2. Distribution of slaughtered animals in Korogwe district by species, breeds, age sex and stage of gestation

Animal
species

Type of
Breed

Age of
slaughtered
animal

Number of slaughtered
animals by sex

Prevalence of slaughtered
pregnant animals
n (%)

Gestation
stage

M

F

Cattle

Local

5 - 6 years

446

143

9(5.6)

First trimester

3 - 4 years

89

18

0(0.0)

 

Goats

Local

>3 years

250

55

0(0.0)

 

Sheep

Local

>3 years

141

24

0(0.0)

 

Total

926

240

9(3.8)

In Temeke municipality, out of 516 slaughtered pigs, 434 were cross breeds and 82 were local breeds. The proportions of slaughtered pregnant sows are shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Distribution of slaughtered pigs in Temeke piggery slaughter facility by species, breed, age, sex and gestation

Animal
species

Type of
Breed

Age of
slaughtered
animal

Number of slaughtered
animals by sex

Prevalence of slaughtered
pregnant animals
n (%)

Gestation
stage

M

F

Pig

Cross

1 - 2 years

296

138

7(5.1)

First trimester

Local

1 - 2 years

44

38

2(5.3)

First trimester

 

Total

340

176

9(5.1)

Condemnation estimates

Of the inspected organs, 81 (2.8%) livers, 103 (3.6%) lungs, 15 (0.5%) kidneys, 3 (0.1%) hearts, 32 (1.1%) intestines and 30 (1.0%) spleens were condemned in Same district (Figure 2) due to various reasons; and 140 (12.0%) livers, 244 (20.9%) lungs, 127 (10.9%) kidneys, 61 (5.2%) hearts and 19 (1.6%) spleens were condemned in Korogwe district as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 2. The proportions of condemned organs in in Same district


Figure 3. The proportions of condemned organs in Korogwe district

The principle causes of condemned organs in different animal species, its proportions and P-value for significance difference in Same district is shown in Table 4 whereas in Korogwe district is shown in Table 5.

Table 4. Comparisons of proportions of condemned organs in Same district

Diseases/ Disease conditions

Cattle
(n=952)
n (%)

Goats
(n=1133)
n (%)

Cattle
(n=952)
n (%)

Sheep
(n=811)
n (%)

Goats
(n=1133)
n (%)

Sheep
(n=811)
n (%)

Causes of Liver condemnations

Fasciolosis

22 (2.3)

0(0.0)

22 (2.3)

11(1.4)

0(0.0)

11(1.4)

p <0.0001

p = 0.1944

p = 0.0003

S. hepatica

2(0.2)

26(2.3)

2(0.2)

0(0.0)

26(2.3)

0(0.0)

p < 0.0001

p = 0.5510

p < 0.0001

Hepatitis

6(0.6)

7(0.6)

6(0.6)

7(0.9)

7(0.6)

7(0.9)

p = 0.8135

p = 0.7774

p = 0.0719

Causes of Lung condemnations

Pneumonia

14(1.5)

55(4.9)

14(1.5)

24(3.0)

55(4.9)

24(3.0)

p = <0.0001

p = 0.0476

p = 0.0488

Abscess

2(0.3)

7(0.6)

2(0.3)

0(0.0)

7(0.6)

0(0.0)

p = 0.2804

p = 0.5029

p = 0.0631

Causes of Kidney condemnations

Nephritis

8(0.8)

7(0.6)

8(0.8)

0(0.0)

7(0.6)

0(0.0)

p = 0.7348

p = 0.0237

p = 0.0631

Causes of Heart condemnations

Pericarditis

1(0.1)

2(0.2)

1(0.1)

0(0.0)

2(0.2)

0(0.0)

p = 0.8799

p = 9360

p = 0.6314

Causes of Spleen condemnations

Splenomegaly

13(1.4)

10(0.9)

13(1.4)

7(0.9)

10(0.9)

7(0.9)

p = 0.4002

p = 0.4429

p = 0.8403

Causes of Intestines condemnations

Pimplyguts

3(0.3)

16(1.4)

3(0.3)

13(1.6)

16(1.4)

13(1.6)

p = 0.0166

p = 0.0096

p = 0.8788



Table 5. Comparisons of proportions of condemned organs in Korogwe district

Diseases/ Disease conditions

Cattle
(n=696)
n (%)

Goats
(n=305)
n (%)

Cattle
(n=696)
n(%)

Sheep
(n=165)
n (%)

Goats
(n=305)
n (%)

Sheep
(n=165)
n (%)

Causes of Liver condemnations

Fasciolosis

29 (4.2)

0(0.0)

29 (4.2)

9(5.5)

0(0.0)

9(5.5)

p = 0.0006

p = 0.6077

p = 0.0002

Calcified cysts

27(3.9)

1(0.3)

27(3.9)

2(1.2)

1(0.3)

2(1.2)

p = 0.0034

p = 0.1423

p = 0.5877

Hepatitis

13(1.9)

12(3.9)

13(1.9)

4(2.4)

12(3.9)

4(2.4)

p = 0.0875

p = 0.8802

p = 0.5517

Cirrhosis

21(3.0)

14(4.6)

21(3.0)

8(4.9)

14(4.6)

8(4.9)

p = 0.28912

p = 0.3512

p = 0.9186

Causes of Lung condemnations

Pneumonia

59(8.5)

45(14.8)

59(8.5)

16(9.7)

45(14.8)

16(9.7)

p = 0.0039

p = 0.7293

p = 0.1576

Emphysema

56(8.1)

2(0.7)

56(8.1)

15(9.1)

2(0.7)

15(9.1)

p = <0.0001

p = 0.7785

p =< 0.0001

Abscess

29(4.2)

10(18.7)

29(4.2)

12(7.3)

10(18.7)

12(7.3)

p = 0.6235

p = 0.1386

p = 0.0840

Causes of Kidney condemnations

Nephritis

19(2.7)

7(2.3)

19(2.7)

8(4.9)

7(2.3)

8(4.9)

p = 0.8554

p = 0.2479

p = 0.2193

Renal cysts

54(7.8)

5(1.6)

54(7.8)

5(3.0)

5(1.6)

5(3.0)

p = 0.0003

p = 0.0466

p = 0.5076

Infarction

29(4.2)

0(0.0)

29(4.2)

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

p = 0.0006

p = 0.0152

p = 0.8529

Causes of Heart condemnations

Pericarditis

20(2.9)

5(1.6)

20(2.9)

6(3.6)

5(1.6)

6(3.6)

p = 0.3515

p = 0.7935

p = 0.2949

Flabbiness

17(2.4)

9(3.0)

17(2.4)

4(2.4)

9(3.0)

4(2.4)

p = 0.8029

p = 0.7895

p = 0.9699

Causes of Spleen condemnations

Splenomegaly

6(0.4)

8(2.6)

6(0.4)

5(3.0)

8(2.6)

5(3.0)

p = 0.0586

p = 0.0652

p = 0.9699

In Temeke municipality, a total of 516 pigs were slaughtered representing an average daily slaughter of 8 pigs. The organs condemned from pigs were kidneys, lungs and the whole carcass. The total condemnation accounts for a proportion of 6.2%. The major causes of condemnations in pigs were kidney hydronephrosis accounting for 2.3% followed by Cysticercosis (1.9%) and Pneumonia (1.9%) (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Organs/carcass condemnations in Pigs in Temeke municipality
Assessment of Direct Economic Loss

The direct economic loss (DEL) was calculated as shown in Table 6, 7 and 8. Therefore, the DEL was estimated to be 39,002.44 USD (TZS 84,635,300.00) in Same district; 119,935.02 USD (TZS 260,259,000.00) in Korogwe district; and 46,791.56 USD (TZS 101,446,000.00) in Temeke Municipality in Dar-es-Salaam city (1USD = TZS 2,170).

Table 6. Estimates of the direct economic loss in Same district

Type of organs
condemned

Number of
condemnations (n)

Total weight
(W)

Price in USD
(Av. P/kg)

Financial loss
in USD

Liver

81

98.6

3.69

29,443.69

Kidneys

15

3.6

2.30

124.42

Lungs

103

34.8

2.30

8,258.99

Spleen

30

6.3

1.38

261.29

Heart

3

1.5

3.23

14.52

Intestines

32

12.2

2.30

899.54

Total financial loss

39,002.44



Table 7. Estimates of the direct economic loss in Korogwe district

Type of organs
condemned

Number of
condemnations (n)

Total weight
(W)

Price in USD
(Av.P/kg)

Financial loss
in USD

Liver

140

162.2

3.69

83,716.13

Kidneys

127

23.6

2.30

6,905.99

Lungs

244

43.4

2.30

24,400.00

Spleen

19

3.5

1.38

91.94

Heart

61

24.5

3.23

4,820.97

Total financial loss

119,935.02



Table 8. Estimates of the direct economic loss in Temeke municipality

Type of organs
condemned

Number of
condemnations (n)

Total weight
(W)

Price in USD
(Av.P/kg)

Financial loss
in USD

Kidneys

12

2.6

2.30

71.76

Lungs

10

3.4

2.30

78.20

Carcass

10

1264

3.69

46,641.60

Total financial loss

46,791.56


Discussion

In the slaughterhouses/ slabs, the meat inspection is usually conducted for the aim of screening and removing all animal products with abnormal pathological lesions and having poor aesthetic value which are unfit for human consumption. However, the principle function of meat inspection at broader aspect is to assist in herd and flock disease monitoring from grassroots to national level. The disease surveillance and monitoring at abattoir level provides feedback information to the veterinary service for prompt detection of any emerging or re-emerging disease condition in the animal population and prevent food borne illness resulting from consumption of animal products. (Gracey et al 1999).

The most commonly encountered abnormalities during antemortem inspection in Same district were emaciation, tick infestation and lymphadenopathy (enlargement of superficial lymph node – a possible indicator of pathogen infection/ infestation). The presence of tick infestations and lymphadenopathy indicates that the dipping and/ or spraying services in Same district might be not very effective as also revealed in the study conducted by Kiswaga et al (2014) in the same area. The lymphadenopathy and emaciation might also depict the chronic infection of Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and insufficient pastures and water to animals due to prolonged drought season that coincided with the study period.

In Korogwe district there were no conspicuous devastating physical abnormalities observed during ante-mortem inspection. Animals are purchased from the livestock markets and brought to the slaughterhouse by vehicle. The use of vehicles rather than trekking could explain for the minimal physical abnormalities recorded in Korogwe district compared to Same district where animals used to trek to the slaughtering points.

In Temeke municipal council, it was found that the municipal has no registered slaughterhouses for pigs, the currently available slaughter slabs which are of low standard are owned by individual farmers whom have connections with small piggery farmers and business men from Morogoro, Dodoma, Singida, Manyara and Tabora who supply pigs directly to a particular individual slaughter slabs. The government had identified these slaughter premises and usually provides meat inspection services through Livestock Field Officers. The big challenge is that some farmers decide to slaughter animals at their homesteads leading to difficulties in identifying them and perform meat inspection (Personal observation).

The occurrence of Cysticercosis cases in pigs suggests that animal husbandry practices in the smallholder farming is not well established and implemented. The piggery business men who transport pigs from Dodoma and Singida to Dar-es-Salaam reported that most of pigs are managed extensively due to inadequate feed resources in the villages and the de-worming programme of pigs is not well implemented because pig farmers are not well informed and poor delivery of extension services due to inadequate extension service providers in rural settings. The scavenging type of pig management in rural areas associated with poor or lack of latrine usage have also been mentioned by the piggery farmers and business men to be one of the factors contributing endemicity of cysticercosis in Dodoma and Singida regions as reported by Mwang’onde et al (2014) in Mbulu district, Manyara region.

The causes of condemnations from Same district were due to Fasciolosis, Stilesia hepatica infestations, Hepatitis, Pneumonia, Abscess, Nephritis, Pericarditis, Splenomegaly and Pimplyguts; in Korogwe district were Fasciolosis, Hepatitis, Pneumonia, Abscess, Nephritis, Pericarditis, Splenomegaly, Calcified cysts, Cirrhosis, Emphysema, Renal cysts, Infarction and Flabbiness whereas in Temeke municipality were Hydronephrosis, Pneumonia and Cysticercosis. Animals observed to have Fasciolosis came from Vudee, Chome, Suji, Mwembe, Maore, Kisiwani, Mhezi, Vumari, Vunta and Ndungu in Same district; whereas in Korogwe district they came from Handeni, Kilindi and Kiteto districts. In these districts, there is low-lying swampy areas with temperature above 100C, which provide good habitats for intermediate mud snail hosts. Snails are known to be intermediate host contributing toward maintaining the life cycle of Fasciola spp (Radostits et al 2000). The detection of Fasciolosis and Cysticercosis in most slaughter points present or illustrates the possible public health threats (Budke et al 2006; Radostits et al 2000). The two conditions are zoonotic and human acquire infection through ingestion of animal products (containing the parasite) that is not thoroughly cooked. Slaughtered animals found to have Stilesia hepatica came from Vudee, Chome, Suji, Maore, Kisiwani, Mhezi, Vunta and Ndungu. These wards are humid which are likely to favour the oribatid mites as an intermediate host of Stilesia hepatica.

The direct economic loss (DEL) in the slaughterhouses/ slabs was high due to the type of organs/ and or carcass condemned and its value in the local market. It was estimated that the DEL for slaughterhouses/ slabs was 39,002.44 USD in Same, 119,935.02 USD in Korogwe districts and 46,791.56 USD in Temeke municipality respectively. The presence of this high DEL indicates the financial loss to both livestock farmers and national at large even in a long run if the rescuing measures will not be taken seriously. This is in congruent with other studies conducted by Tembo and Nonga (2015) that in Dodoma abattoir the estimated economic loss due to organs/ and or carcass condemnations was 9,892USD. Therefore, the livestock disease control measures should be taken seriously in order to rescue a great negative impact to national economy since livestock contributes about 18% of the total GDP as reported by Mellau et al 2011.

The high prevalence of pregnant animals slaughtered in these slaughter houses is consistent with other studies conducted elsewhere (Tembo and Nonga 2015). This could be attributed to incompetence of inspectors to perform pregnancy diagnosis or animals destined for slaughter are not routinely examined for pregnancy diagnosis. This presents huge calf loss for future herd’s replacement. Enforcement of the Tanzania Animal Welfare Act (Cap. 154 R.E 2010) would alleviate the trend through pregnancy diagnosis at the primary markets and slaughter points.


Conclusion and recommendation

We therefore recommend for the urgent need of creating more awareness and educational campaigns towards behavioral change amongst livestock keepers, traders, butcheries and general public towards animal husbandry, disease control and consumption patterns


Acknowledgement

This work is the product of the Regional Field Epidemiology Training Programme for Veterinarian organized by FAO under the auspicious of the project ‘ Improving disease intelligence and early warning globally and held in July 2015, Arusha, Tanzania. The authors would like to acknowledge the training mentors (FAO-ECTAD Team) and the meat inspectors in Same and Korogwe districts and Temeke municipal in Dar-es-Salaam region for their best corporations during the time of this study. In addition, we sincerely thank all administrators in the respective areas for allowing the meat inspectors to collect the data during the study period.


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Received 15 July 2016; Accepted 7 October 2016; Published 1 November 2016

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