Estimating the total cost of bovine fasciolosis in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the total cost of bovine fasciolosis under three different scenarios (expected, optimistic and pessimistic scenarios) in Turkey. The weighted mean prevalence of infection was calculated as 1·9% and the financial losses were estimated in US$ at 2010 current prices. The total costs of bovine fasciolosis per infected beef cattle and dairy cow were estimated as 223·7 US$ (201·3–246·1, under optimistic-pessimistic scenarios) and 430·7 US$ (387·6–473·7), respectively. Total cost of the disease was estimated as 7·4 million US$ (6·1–8·8) for beef cattle and 35·4 million US$ (28·9–42·6) for dairy cows. The nation-wide total cost of the disease in Turkey for 2010 was estimated to be 42·8 million US$ (35·1–51·4). Most of the losses arise from reduced meat yield, fertility and milk yield, and smaller losses are due to condemnation of livers and disease control expenditures. As a result, the quantity of these losses may help the farmers and policy makers to give the better decision for controlling and eradication of the animal diseases in Turkey.