STRATEGIC CONTROL OF FASCIOLIASIS IN THE INTER-ANDEAN VALLEY OF CAJAMARCA, PERU

Fasciolosis is recognised as a major problem in dairy cattle in Cajama rca, Peru, The infection has an annual cycle, with the major period of infection from January to March. A control programme, involving two d oses of the fasciolicide triclabendazole aimed at reducing the passage of Fasciola hepatica eggs on to the pasture, together with the use of the molluscicide, niclosamide, was evaluated against traditional trea tment programmes. The double treatment regimen did not significantly r educe the overall parasite burden, as measured by faecal egg counts, b ut did control the parasites to a level similar to that achieved by tr aditional programmes averaging 3.7 treatments per year. The cows' eosi nophil counts and serum liver enzyme activities were significantly low er than in animals treated by the traditional programmes. The use of n iclosamide in addition to the triclabendazole treatments gave no clear advantage, although there was a significant reduction in the number o f intermediate host snails after the application of the molluscicide.