The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalance of cystic echinococcosis in animals slaughtered between 2008-2012 in the province of Elazığ and to determine the resulting economic loss.

The records of the slaughter houses located in the province of Elazığ were reviewed retrospectively. The whole sale price of the establishments was taken into account to calculate economic loss resulting from the destruction of livers due to the presence of cystic echinococcosis. Economic loss resulting from the diminishing yield could not be evaluated since we were unable to access the required data.

Between 2008-2012 125.297 cattle, 83.597 sheep and 46.500 goats have been slaughtered in the province of Elazığ, and the frequency of cystic echinococcosis in the lungs was 6.44%, 6.83% and 3.30% and the frequency of echinococcosis in the liver was 7.26%, 7.72% and 3.70% respectively. Heart involvement was observed only in 2009, and the frequency in the cattle, sheep, and goats was 0.10%, 0.64% and 0.67% respectively. Total financial loss in five years due to cystic echinococcosis was 488,429 TL (240.961 USD) and 95,685 TL (47.205 USD) annually. Cystic echinococcosis was most commonly seen in July, August and September in cattle and in January, February and March in sheep and goats. The increase in the frequency of cystic echinococcosis as compared to previous years was also reflected in the economic loss, and there was 13-fold increase compared to previous years.