Fasciolosis in Ireland : Review of the literature on liver fluke infections and a study on condemned livers due to fasciolosis in an Irish slaughterhouse

Abstract

Liver flukes are a global issue as identified in this paper. Fasciolosis is widespread in Ireland and is a particular problem in areas where high rainfall and poor draining soils combine to exacerbate the situation. However, the prevalence of infection is significantly higher in developing countries (MacDonald et al, 2002). Microscopic creatures that are present on and around vegetation are ingested by grazing livestock such as sheep, cattle and goats globally and also wild animals such as hare and deer indigenously here in Ireland. Once ingested, the flukes can migrate from the intestine to the liver, potentially causing haemorrhaging and weight loss (McDougal, 2012). This is a major issue across cultures as more than 700 million people around the world rely on their livestock for their survival (GalvMed, 2009).It is estimated that over 600 million animals are now infected worldwide.