Impact of Fasciolosis in Buffaloes

Buffaloes are the important multipurpose farm animals in the Indian sub-continent, contributing significantly to meat and milk production. Because of their habitats, they suffer from a wide variety of parasitic disease amongst which Fasciolosis is an important Helminthic disease in India. Fasciolosis is one of the most serious and widely prevalent Helminthic diseases caused by Fasciola hepatica in hilly tracks, and Fasciola gigantica in all other places. Fasciolosis in buffaloes is asymptomatic, subclinical, and/or chronic form of the disease, adversely affecting their reproductive cycle, weight gain, food conversion efficiency, and productivity. The frequency of outbreaks increases between October and May, but sporadic outbreaks continue throughout the year. The host suffers from unnoticed ill effects of the disease for a prolonged period before the disease is detected at a veterinary clinic and/or at the abattoir.