Prevalence and Etiology of Gross Lesions in Sheep Carcasses in Diyala Province, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Inspecting meat in butcher shops is crucial for curbing the spread of disease and protecting public health in Diyala Governorate. Lamb meat is a staple in Iraqi cuisine, and the existence of unregulated and illegal animal slaughtering practices undoubtedly contributes to public health problems and the spread of various diseases. Aims: The study was conducted to determine the type and prevalence of gross lesions in sheep carcasses and viscera, and the economic value of such lesions at butcheries. Results: The results of the current study recorded about 84.3% of gross lesions in these carcasses, and lung and liver were most affected organs 48.2 % and 44.3% respectively. Also, the study revealed that parasitic lesion was greater than other lesions with 59.5 %, the prevalence of each of fascioliasis and hydatid cysts was 22.3 %, 16.7 % respectively. The occurrence of fascioliasis significantly (p < 0.01) was bigger in winter and autumn than in summer. This study also recorded pneumonia lesions (19.5%) and caseous lymphadenitis (6.3%) in the samples of the study, and all these lesions cause serious economic losses. Conclusions: Lack of health monitoring, non-compliance with medical guidelines, and low awareness lead to the spread of many diseases and lesions that negatively affect public health and also result in serious economic losses. The control of zoonotic parasites is so powerful to eliminate these lesions and diseases, and this process requires a concerted effort from both the health and veterinary sectors.