Ovine fascioliasis: environmental epidemiology and meta-analysis of the prevalence, Agro-ecological and economic factors in five provinces of the Nile Delta region of Egypt

This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of ovine fascioliasis and to evaluate the impact of putative risk factors in five provinces located in the Nile Delta region of Egypt. A cross-sectional method was conducted from 2014 to 2015 involving the coprological investigation using sedimentation technique and questionnaire survey in Beheira, Kafr-Sheikh, sharkia, Menofia and Gharbia province. A total of 4920 sheep (n= 80 flocks) was sampled in order to achieve a representative sample of 140 flocks. The dataset was analyzed using comparative meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence was 17.87%, and the higher prevalence was recorded in the Baladi breed 21.86% with 95% confidence interval followed by the Barki 18.12% (95% CI-0.58, 1.42) and the Rahmani 13.58% (95% CI-0.19, 0.25). Sixteen parameters of population and agro-ecological factors were considered for assessing the heterogeneity analysis of age, sex, breeds, body condition scores, flock sizes, and ecological conditions. Low prevalence of fascioliasis was observed in summer, spring, and autumn. Sheep flock sizes ranging from 100-150 and over 150 were associated with a higher prevalence of Fasciola than flock size less than 100 sheep. The prevalence was higher in relative humidity ranging from 50 to 60 and over 60, compared to conditions of relative humidity <50. The total weight of infected sheep with fascioliasis was significantly lower (44.17 kg) than healthy sheep (55.29 kg). The monetary value of weight reduction for the infected sheep estimated was 301.55 Egyptian pounds (EGP). Additionally, the average treatment cost/sheep was 46.22 EGP, and the cost of mortality for three-dead sheep was 4800 EGP. The study findings revealed that urgent strategic control measures are required based on attributing risk factors of fascioliasis in the Nile Delta regions of Egypt. Furthermore, epidemiological information about the disease and associated risk factors may aid in developing effective control measures and strategic anthelminthic intervention against fascioliasis and improving the productivity of the sheep industry in Egypt.