Socio-economic impact of cystic echinococcosis (CE) on Agro-pastoral communities of South Darfur State, Sudan

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis is an important zoonotic infection which imparks serious effects on human and his domesticated animals. The disease is maintained by a cycle involves dog and ruminant association. The current study is the first investigation to provide an assessment of socio-economic impacts of CE on the Agro-pastoral system of husbandry among agro-pastoral community of south Darfur, one of known endemic areas for CE in Sudan. In this study, the key factors for the development and persistence of CE were identified. The socio-economic consequences impact on livestock husbandry and human, beside the role of chemotherapy for animals against infections in the study area were estimated. The annual financial loss in animal production due to edible organs condemnation and cost of control of CE by chemotherapy for the study period was estimated to be 38682492.3, 6713390.5, 7213173.9 and 175180.9 USD per annum for cattle, sheep, goats and camel respectively, with general 52784237.2 USD per annum. Whilst, in human the cost of computed tomography (CT) was estimated to be 85.5 USD and for Ultrasonography (US) was 12 USD per case. The cost of surgery vary from 2906 to 9059.8 USD per surgical case. Our estimates may reflect some of the aspect true socio-economic impact in this area. This first estimates illustrates that CE is a public and environmental actual difficulty in Sudan and we will focus in future on public health policy.

Keywords: Cystic echinococcosis, economic impact, Darfur, Sudan