Pattern and Major Reasons of Cattle Red Offal Condemnation in the Slaughterhouse of the Arid Region of El Oued (Algeria)

Abstract

Bovine red offal is one of the main sources of animal proteins. The monitoring of the sanitary status of these foods is mandatory to protect human and animal health against transmitted diseases. The aim of this study was to establish an epidemiological situation of these diseases in the El Oued region. To do so, the registries of red offal seizures from three successive years (2018–2020) of 14,478 slaughtered cattle were retrospectively analyzed. The results showed a continuous evolution of the number of red offal seizures cases mainly in the liver and the lungs. The annual average prevalence of lung lesions increased progressively from 3.45% in 2018 to 10.50% in 2020 while a decrease of about 1% in pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts prevalence was observed. For liver diseases, the frequency of seizures increased, also predominately fasciolosis which reached 2.8% in 2020. Concerning tuberculosis, the prevalence did not show significant variations. These findings confirm the value of hygienic control along the entire red offal production chain and the need to strengthen zoonotic diseases prevention to reduce economic losses and to safeguard public health in this arid developing region.