IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2016) 7-1

Research article
erd

Challenge and Prevalence of Fasciolosis in Cattle in Pursat
Province, Cambodia
VANDARA LOEURNG*
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Email: vandara_loueng@yahoo.com

BUNTHON CHEA
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

SOTHYRA TUM
Department of Animal Production and Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

MOM SENG
Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Received 21 December 2015

Accepted 11 April 2016(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract Poor nutrition and fasciolosis have significantly decreased cattle productivity. Floodis one of the well-known Climate Changes affected cattle production in Cambodia. The presentof permanent water bodies in these inundated areas may be provided favorable environment for
lymnaeid snail, the intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica. Therefore, the study aimed to
identify challenges in cattle production and the risk factors of F. gigantica infection in cattle
after flood in Ou Tapong, Bakan, Pursat, Cambodia during December 2014 to June 2015. The
88 households were interviewed on challenges and risks of husbandry practice by using
questionnaire. The total 171 fecal samples from flooding area (n=108) and non-flood area(n=63) depend on the number cattle in each area. Age, sex and health status were determined
individually. Fecal were examined by using Modified Balivat Fasciola egg and counting
technique. The result found that there was significance (p<0.001) between the prevalence offasciolosis in flooded areas (25.00%) and non-e flooded areas (1.60%). It was noted that higher
infection rates in female (19.70%) and male (2.90%) were found. The present of F. gigantica
was found in older cattle (≥ 3years) that was significantly higher than young cattle (<3years) at
the rates of 23.20 % and 7.90 %, respectively (p<0.01). The prevalence F. gigantica was highly
different (p<0.001) among emaciated, thin, medium and fat of body condition score of cattle.
Risk factor for cattle fasciolosis infection was demonstrated that cattle was fed by cut and carrywater grass derived from inundated area (natural lake) and had significant association(OR=0.61) with prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle through logistic regression model. Following
by focused group discussions, problems encountered in cattle raising caused flood including
pen flooding, lack of feed and susceptible to disease. However, only 25.00% prepared feed
before flood season and others did as habitation in local. Therefore, flood may be a factor tocontribute to occurrence of fasciolosis in cattle. Traditional adaptation in cattle raising of
farmers seems to be neglected to improve cattle production.
Keywords Fasciola gigantica, cattle, prevalence, flood, climate change, Cambodia

INTRODUCTION
Cattle production plays a vital role in the rural Cambodia economy, providing draught power, cash
income and as a source of fertilizer. In 2013, livestock accounted for 14 percent of total agricultureⒸ ISERD

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GDP (MAFF, 2014). Climate change has various impacts on the livelihoods of rural farmers in
Cambodia as they majorly depend on agriculture for living. Flood, one of the well-known climatechanges, is a core factor for low cattle productivity due to the loss of grazing pasture and shelter andoccurrence of diseases (MoE, 2014). The presence of permanent water bodies in these inundated areas
provided favorable environment for lymnaeid snail, the intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica. The
lymnaeid snail population and its habitat are disturbed by flooding as they are dispersed by floodwater(Copeman, 2008). Alves et al. (2011) stated that flood might be associated with the presence of
lymnaeid snail where prevalence fasciolosis in cattle was higher in flooded areas than non-flood areas.
Cambodia experiences with flood every year, particularly the provinces along Mekong River and Tonle
Sap (Leng, 2014). The anticipated impact of climate change and variability on agriculture include
frequency increase and intensity of flood and incidence increase of pests and disease (MOE and UNDP,
2011). Flood causes economic loss, crop, and livestock destruction. As consequence, NCDM (2014)
reported that an estimated cost that flood damaged and lost livestock was about US$3.33 million in
2013. Stock, poultry, and pig losses together with dying cattle during flood also found.
F. gigantica is being the major internal parasite of cattle health problem in Cambodia (Soun et al.,2006). Losses due to fasciolosis are mainly reduced meat production, draught performance, and lower
fertility in infected animals (Spithill et al., 1999). The net benefit per head of cattle and buffalo in thesehigh-risk zones of Cambodia is US$76-91.These losses and the costs were taken into account of
implementing control program (Sothoeun, 2007). Tum et al. (2004) developed a geographic
information system model for mapping the risk of fascioliasis in cattle and buffaloes in Cambodia.
Mainly around Tonle Sap Lake and along the Mekong River and Bassac River, estimating that 28% of
cattle Cambodia is potentially at risk of fascioliasis, with areas of high and moderate risk concentrated
in southern and central areas. However, knowledge of the prevalence of parasitic infection including
fasciolosis in relation to seasonal flood and challenge cattle production cause flood in these selectedstudy areas is poor documented.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed (i) to identify problems encountered in cattle and the solutions farmers responded toflood, and (ii) to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of fasiolosis in cattle in study area.
METHODOLOGY
Study Area
Two villages in Ou Tapong, Bakan, Pursat province were selected for this study and were taken placefrom December 2014 to June 2015. Geographically, Ou Tapong commune Bakan district is apeninsular area situated along Tonle Sap River, and these villages are different from Sdock klouk
situated in the lower plain of Tonle Sap and are susceptible to flood damage in rainy season, while
Robaoh Reang village is a higher land (non- flood area).
Survey of Fasciolosis
Fecal samples were sampling from 63 and 107 of the animals in Robaoh Rang and Sdock Khlouk
villages, respectively. Samples were selected out from all cattle in both villages. Two cattle were
sampling from household raise at least two cattle and a cattle from a household raise only one. They
were randomly collected from male and female cattle with the age of less than 3 years old and above 3
years. Approximately 5-10 g fecal samples were collected from rectum.
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Fig. 1 Map of study area
The samples were independently labeled with the age, sex, body condition score, and village
name and were stored in a cooled box containing ice. The samples were transported to Parasitology
Laboratory of Research and Extension at Royal University of Agriculture and were analyzed using a
Modified Balivat Fasciola egg counting technique to find prevalence of fasciolosis. The association
between the independent factors and the prevalence of fasciolosis was calculated by using the Chisquare and confidence level was held at 95%. As part of the study, all cattle owners were selected forinterviewing by a set of structured questionnaire that covered aspects of challenges and responses of
farmers to flooding in cattle production and possible risk factors for fasciola, for example, feeding andwater management, and presence of lymnaeid snail in particular site. Focused group discussion was
also done for validation. Risk factors associated with case of fasciolosis were analyzed using a logistic
regression model. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 16.0.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
General Characteristics of Cattle Production
Cattle production is considered the second major economic activity for smallholders while the main job
is rice production. The majority of cattle production in both villages was raised for breeding purpose,as savings in family. Generally, cattle were grazed together on available pastures in the area, which
was depended on the season and availability of feed. The cattle feeds were mainly grasses, rice straw,
and stubble. After rice harvest, cattle were herded together in the grazing area where pasture and water
are available, especially at floodplain and surrounding natural lake near Tonle sap river. The cattle
were released from morning to evening in Sdock Khlouk. Unlike the cattle in Robaoh Reang, they
were freely released to grass in paddy field or grassland (farm) with additional feed, such as rice straw.
Problems Faced by Farmers in Cattle Raising
Cattle raising in Sdock Klouk village is very sensitive to be impacted by flood. Water grass such as
Brachiaria (buffalo grass) and Oryza rufipogon from flood plain and flooded natural lake are the main
feeds for cattle in flood events.
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Prercentage

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2016) 7-1

85

100
80
60
40
20
0

70

Avaliability No field
grass fargrazingfrom house48

Dirty pen45

Lack of
feed

30

9

6

Lack of
Pen
Evacuatedclean water flooding hill far fromhouse

Fig. 2 Percentage of farmers faced by feed and pen problems in cattle rising during flooding

Percentage

The survey result presented in Fig. 2 shows that 85% of farmers reported grass availability was far
from household with the distance between 3 and 15 kilometers. Farmers (75%) said that there was nofield grazing for cattle because grass field was flooded and 45% of farmers were lack of feed for cattle,
a part of cattle lack of water grass due to no boat and destroyed grass. Pasture was also a major
challenge to limit cattle productivity after flood because water grass was no longer grow or flower andthat was not a suitable feed for cattle.
100
80
60
40
20
0

82
39

Diarrhea

Foot and
Mouth
Disease18

18

Hemorrhage
Septicemia

Pain nail9
Poison feed

Fig. 3 Percentage of farmers noted disease in cattle during flood

Precentage

Observation of farmers on disease in cattle during flood is shown in Fig. 3. There are 82% of
farmers who found that their cattle had diarrhea during and after flood season. There were 39% of
farmers who observed that cattle had Foot and Mouth disease, Hemorrhage septicemia (18%) and pain
nail (18%). Lastly 9% of farmers reported poisoning cases on cattle. Those could be the result fromflood related issues and evacuating conditions were susceptible to infectious diseases. Flood water was
only a drinking source during flood duration and cut and carry moss grass were the main feed for cattle.
100
80
60
40
20
0

75
25
No
prepared4136Prepared Buid hill at Buy boat
the home
Feed

17

7

Repairboat

Keep asnormalOther acitivies

Fig. 4 Percentage of farmer adapted in cattle production
Adaptation of farmers keeping cattle in study site is illustrated in Fig. 4. Farmers were asked toshare their experience of dealing with flood and to describe existing ways to adapt to flood. Up to 75%
of cattle owners did not make any feed preparation while there was 25% prepared rice straw.
Traditional adaptation of villagers, including 41% of farmers built an evacuated site for cattle at home,
36% bought a boat, and 17% repaired their boats before flood event because preparing boat was very

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important to transport water grass. However, at least 7% absence of any adaptation means the farmers
kept and did everything as normal due to living conditions.
Infection Fasciolosis in Cattle
Out of the total cattle examinded, an overall prevalence of 28 (16.4%) were recorded in the present
study. The prevalence rate at Robaoh Reang and Sdock Khlouk villages were 1.6% and 25%,
respectively (Table 1). Prevalence of fasciolosis was higher in cattle at non-flood areas than in cattle atflood areas. The study revealed a significant difference (p<0.001) of fasciolosis prevalence in the twostudy villages. Sdock Khlouk was higher than Robaoh Reang as it may be defined by the presence ofmore lowland or lake, which was the maintenance of flood prone areas. The mollusk dispersion andmaintenance of the life cycle of fasciola are suited for those areas (Lima et al., 2009). High prevalence
was observed in flood areas as it was supported by the model, which indicated that the area of high andmoderate risk of fasciolosis in the closed distance river and lake (Tum et al., 2004). Moreover, cattle
feeding method in Sdock Khlouk was mainly free grazing at bank of natural lake and the margin offlooded areas as water receded. This inundated area was a suitably permanent habitat for aquatic snails
that were the intermediate hosts of F. giganitca (Tum et al., 2004). The higher in area surroundinglarge natural lake or pond was the location where Lymnaea snail was seen by villagers. The overall
prevalence of liver fluke infection (13.4%) is supported by the finding of Dorny et al. (2011) which theresult varied from 5%-20%. On the other hand, this result is higher than the earlier report of Tum et al.
(2007) who found 6.2% prevalence of F. gigantica in cattle for Pursat province and concluded that
there is a moderate predicted risk of information. The variation in the findings with the early reports
may be due to the difference in sample size, place of study site, period of infection, time of collecting
fecal sample, and availability of infected intermediate hosts (Lymnea snail). The present finding was
gradually increased year over year and it might be closely associated to the presence of chronic cattle
infection due to no deworming.
Table 1 Prevalence of fasciolosi base on site
Site
None-flood
Flood
Total

N examined
63
108
171

N infected127
28Prevalence %
1.6
25
16.4

𝑥2
15.92

P
0.001

As shown in Table 2, there was significant in variation of fasciolosis in male and female cattle(𝑥 2 = 5.59, p=0.018). The infection rate in female was higher (19.7%) than male (2.9%). This finding
was similar to the observation of Ardo (2014). Impact to the infection rate could not be explained, butthese infections in female were higher than in male which could also be attributed to the proportion of
more female samples (Table 2). The prevalence of fasciolosis was higher (23.2%) in old cattle whilelowest prevalence in young cattle was up to three years old (7.9%). It showed a significant difference
among age group (𝑥 2 = 7.18, p=0.007). The lower prevalence rate in young cattle might be due toshort time exposure to disease than old cattle. On the other hand, the old cattle were free grazing fromnear submerged area from morning to evening (Table 2). Base on body condition, it was significantly
difference (𝑥 2 =18.81, p=0.000) of prevalence F. gagantica among emaciated, thin, medium, and fat
body conditions of cattle. 40% was observed in cattle with emaciated body condition, while the lowest
infection prevalence (1.6%) was observed among cattle with fat body condition which was consistent
with the finding of Rast et al. (2013).

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Table 2 Prevalence of faciolosis base on sex, age and body condition of cattle
Factors
FemaleMale≥3<3
Emaciated
Thin
MediumFat

Sex
Age(years)
Body condition

N examined
137
34
95
76
10
38
61
62

N infected
27
1
22
6
4
11
12
1

Prevalence %
19.7
2.9
23.2
7.9
40
29
19.7
1.6

𝑥2
5.59

P
0.018

7.18

0.007

18.81

.000

Risk Factors for Fasciolosis in Cattle
Fourteen univariables were analyzed for association with the presence of fasciolosis reported by cattle
owners. Of these 10 (p≤0.25) showed significant association risk variables of fasiolosis including cut
grass from flood plain, natural lake, cut stubble, free grazing around Tonle Sap, free grazing around lake,
drink water from lake, cannel, dung well, use cattle for ploughing in rice field, and use cattle fecal for
fertilizer. This was eligible for the inclusion of the multivariable logistic regression. The results from thisanalysis revealed that cattle that were fed by cut and carry water grass from natural lake were more likely
to have fasciolosis than cattle that were not feed by cut and carry grass from natural lake. There was asignificant association (OR=0.61, P<0.01) with prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle (Table 3).
Table 3 Result of a multivariable logistic regression analysis of risk factors for fasciolosis
Risk factor

𝛽Constant
Cut and carry grass from natural lake

-1.193-2.796

Association with Fasciolosis
OR
95 CI for OR
Lower
Upper
0.061

0.008

0.462

P

0.000
0.007

CONCLUSION
The cattle productions of small-holder farmers were in the limit productivity in terms of feeding andoccurrence of diseases resulted by flooding. Traditional adaption may be neglected to improve cattle
productivity, hence adaptation capturing good practice to enhance community resilience to flood
should be introduced to farmers. Prevalence Fasciola gigantica was found in cattle and feed
management in the areas that seemed to be exposure to fasciolosis infection. Accordingly, a disease
prevention program and a control program are required. Inundated areas may be associated with habitatof intermediate hosts that contribute to higher prevalence of fasciolosis in flooded areas. It would also
be a role as baseline data in the future study or for the relevant field.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to express his sincere thanks to the two-year scholarship from Climate Change
and Water Governance project of the Cambodia’s leading independent development policy research
institute (CDRI) funded by IDRC. We would address our sincere thanks to classmates for their help
and participation of farmers during the field survey.

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