Report of subacute fascioliasis in Sheep flocks of Koh-Khajeh area of Sistan, Iran

In the spring 2012, some of stockbreeders in Kouh-Khajeh area of Sistan district in Irancomplained severely because of an acute fatal disease in their sheep flocks that could not be removed by antibiotic therapies. The mortality rate has been estimated 97 out of 3000 (3.23%) sheep population. The clinical signs were progressive anaemia, emaciation, diarrhoea, Ascite and bottle jaw. In necropsy of some dead sheep, hepatomegaly and subcapsular hemorrhage were detected. Also the migratory tracks of flukes were observed. The haematological findings revealed Macrocytic Hypochromic Anemia in affected sheep. For treatment of this subacute fascioliasis, Triclabendazole and Clostridial vaccine were used effectively. Acute and subacute fascioliases are not prevalent parasitic disease in dry and desert climates. Sistan is on of the driest areas in Iran and occurrence of subacute fascioliasis in this area is extraordinary and should be noted to prevent veterinary and human disadvantages.