Prevalence of lung lesions in slaughtered cattle in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Authors

  • Ishmael F Jaja University of Fort Hare
  • Borden Mushonga University of Namibia
  • Ezekiel Green University of Fort Hare
  • Voster Muchenje University of Fort Hare

Abstract

nformation obtained from abattoirs on the causes of lung condemnation is important in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and for promoting food security. In this study, we assessed the causes of lung condemnation in cattle at three abattoirs represented as ANA, QTA and EBA to evaluate the financial losses associated with lung condemnation. A retrospective study (n = 51 302) involving the use of abattoir slaughter records of 2010–2012 and an active abattoir survey (n = 1374) was conducted from July to December 2013. The retrospective study revealed the main causes of lung condemnation as pneumonia (1.09%, 2.21% and 0.77%), emphysema (1.12%, 1.14% and 1.1.6%) and abscessation (0.71%, 1.06% and 0.77%), from ANA, QTA and EBA, respectively. The combined monetary loss because of lung condemnation during the period 2010 to 2012 was estimated as ZAR 85 158 (USD 7939) for the abattoirs surveyed. Conversely, during the active abattoir survey, agonal emphysema (15%, 15% and 23%) and
improper eviscerations with faecal contamination (10%, 38% and 42%) were the major factors that led to lung condemnation at ANA, QTA and EBA, respectively. Other causes of lung condemnations were haemorrhage (10%) for QTA and pleurisy (12%) for EBA. The weight loss of lungs during the active abattoir survey was 6450 kg, while the associated monetary loss was estimated as ZAR 29 025 (USD 2706). This study identified major causes of lung condemnation as pleuritis, improper evisceration, pneumonia, abscesses, haemorrhages and lung worms and their associated monetary losses. The results of this study may be useful as baseline data for future comparison in similar surveys, for tracking of some zoonotic diseases affecting lungs and for further research in the Eastern Cape Province or other provinces of South Africa.

Author Biographies

  • Ishmael F Jaja, University of Fort Hare

    Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

  • Borden Mushonga, University of Namibia

    Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Namibia

  • Ezekiel Green, University of Fort Hare

    Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

  • Voster Muchenje, University of Fort Hare

    Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

Downloads

Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Original Research