BOVINE CYSTICERCOSIS IN SLAUGHTERED CATTLE AS AN INDICATOR OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (GAP)
Autor(es): Gabriel Augusto Marques Rossi , Gabriela Capriogli Oliveira, Estevam Guilherme Lux Hoppe, Luis Antonio Mathias, Ana Maria Centola Vidal Martins, Leila Aparecida Mussi, Luiz Francisco Prata |
Bovine cysticercosis, the disease most frequently detected during slaughtering, causes significant economic losses and is also a public health problem. This study focused on estimating the economic losses resulting from cysticercosis at beef cattle farms that supply an export slaughterhouse located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Another objective was to identify the epidemiological factors involved in the disease and to ascertain if the farms in question adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). To this end, we used data recorded in 2012 by Brazil’s Federal Inspection Service (SIF) on the daily occurrence of the disease, according to the farm from which the animals originated. In addition, the associated risk factors were determined based on a case-control study at 48 farms. Cysticercosis was detected in 2.26% of the 190,903 bovines supplied by 556 farms in the following four states: 2.92% in São Paulo, 1.81% in Minas Gerais, 0.71% in Goiás and 1.11% in Mato Grosso do Sul. Fisher’s exact test revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in the epidemiological indices. Cysticercosis was detected at 58.45% of the farms, representing estimated economic losses of $312,194.52 for the farmers. Lower rates of infection by this disease were found at the farms qualified for exports to European Union, indicating a statistically significant difference from those not qualified to export to Europe. The access of cattle to non-controlled water sources (4.25, 15.19-1.19, 0.03) and the presence of fishermen near the farms (4.11, 14.13-1.19, 0.03) were considered epidemiological risk factors. Cysticercosis causes considerable losses in Brazil’s beef supply chain, with lower infection rates appearing only at farms qualified to export to the European Union. As for the access of cattle to non-controlled water sources, this is an indication that GAP are not implemented by some farms, demonstrating the violation of international agreements by the industry and the farms.
Keywords: beef, epidemiology, sanitary inspection, Taenia saginata, zoonosis |
