Estimating the Production Losses Due to Cystic Echinococcosis in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis) in Turkey

Abstract Cystic echinococcosis (CE), is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease among livestock diseases, that causes low productivity (meat, milk, fecundity), profitability and significant economic losses in water buffalo farms and serious public health problem all over the world. This study aimed at estimating the direct (condemned offal) and indirect (meat, milk, and fecundity losses) production losses due to cystic echinococcosis (CE) in water buffaloes in Turkey. A spreadsheet loss model was constructed, and the mean prevalence rate of CE was accepted as 16.4% (3.8% in males and 21.7% in females) in water buffaloes in Turkey. The annual financial losses were estimated with official and previously published data under expected (mean value), optimistic (lowered by 10%), and pessimistic (increased by 10%) scenarios with the prices current in 2020. The production losses in an infected male and female water buffalo were estimated at $54.3 and 105.3, respectively. The nation-wide losses due to CE were estimated at $1.7 million (1.4-2.1) for water buffaloes annually. In conclusion, farmers, policymakers, and the public need to be informed about the risks and financial impact of CE, and control/eradication programs should be included in policies of government at the national level after a cost/benefit analysis.