The purpose of the project is to: 1) find out effective and sustainable measures for control of fasciolosis in cattle and buffalo in the Kingdom of Cambodia, following the recommendation from the previous study funded by ACIAR through project AS1/96/160 and 2) develop a fasciolosis risk map model for a national fasciolosis control program.

The project has two components: 1) implementation and evaluation of an extension program for fasciolosis, and 2) refinement and validation of a GIS-based risk model for fasciolosis in Cambodia.

The project commenced in July 2004. This was because of a delay in the signing date of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, which was on the 23 April 2004 and 26 April 2004 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the Government of Cambodia and Ambassador of Australia for the Government of Australia, respectively.

The study was conducted in two provinces namely Kandal and Kampong Cham. The study on implementation and evaluation of an extension program for fasciolosis was conducted in Saang, Kandal province, while the study on refinement and validation of a GIS-based risk model for fasciolosis in Cambodia was conducted in five districts of Kampong Cham (Batheay, Chheung Prey, Orang Ov, Chamcar Leu and Steung Trang).

Implementation and evaluation of an extension program for fasciolosis:

1. Extension training workshop
The extension officers from the Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) and the Office of Animal Health and Production (OAHP) extension office, Saang district, Kandal province, participated in the extension training workshop organized by the Cambodian Agriculture Research Development Institute (CARDI) and the Agricultural Extension Department (AED) from 12 to 17 July 2004 at CARDI. The instructors and experienced officers of CARDI and AED prepared the training program. The participants, 7 extension staff from DAHP and 3 OAHP extension staff of Kandal province successfully completed the workshop.

2. Production of an extension manual
A third draft of the 25-page Khmer language training manual entitled "Training manual for extension trainer on extension lessons and methods for the control and eradication of fasciolosis in cattle in Saang district, Kandal province" was produced.

3. Production of extension materials
The DAHP, AED, OAHP extension team and extension officers in Saang district discussed and developed the extension materials for use to support the extension work on control of fasciolosis in the target areas. These extension materials were also approved by the DAHP before use.

4. Fasciolosis impacts, cost benefits of fasciolosis control and acceptance of control measures
Cattle of different age groups on two project sites were selected for the study on fasciolosis prevalence, weight gain, condition rating, skin status, draught ability, animal sale and reproduction performance. This information was recorded every four months from September-October 2004 (first time). The two project sites which have a similar farming system, grazing management and feeding approach, were selected for the study. Project Site I is Preak Thei used as control group. Project Site II is Preak Kseav and Preak Trang used as a non-control group. For the study, cattle were classified into different age groups: 0-1 year old, 1-2 years old, 2-3 years old, 3-4 years old, 4-5 years old and older than 5 years.

Control group - Project Site I (Preak Thei): The selected animals were identified by a neck tag, vaccinated against haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), foot and mouth disease (FMD) and given an anthelminthic for nematodes. Any calves were given an anthelmintic for Toxocara. The following information was recorded: fasciolosis infection rate (faecal collection and analysis), weight, condition rating, skin status, draught ability, animal sale and reproductive performance.

Non-control group - Project site II (Preak Kseav and Preak Trang): Extension activity for control of fasciolosis was conducted. Animals were selected, identified by a neck tag, vaccinated against HS, FMD, were given triclabendazole against fasciolosis and an anthelminthic for nematodes. Any calves were given an anthelmintic for Toxocara. The following information was recorded: fasciolosis infection rate (faecal collection and analysis), weight, condition rating, skin status, draught ability, animal sale and reproductive performance.

Prevalence of cattle fasciolosis: A total of 848 faecal samples from the control and non-control groups were examined in September-October 2004 (first time) to determine the fasciolosis infection rate. In the control group, the infection rate of fasciolosis was 39.75 percent in September-October 2004.

In the non-control group, the infection rate of fasciolosis at the start was 43.42 percent.

Reproductive performance: A total of 114 cows in the control and non-control groups aged older than 18 months were included in the study of reproductive performance (fertility).

5. Extension program to control fasciolosis in cattle in Saang and evaluation of acceptance of the control program
Extension activities were implemented by the Kandal province DAHP, OAHP extension team under the supervision of extension specialists from CARDI, AED and the Cambodian Australian Agricultural Extension Project.

Evaluation of animal farmer/owner's knowledge and understanding of fasciolosis: A total of 90 families (39.1%) out of 230 families on the two project sites participated in the survey. Of these, 30.26 percent were from Project Site I (Preak Thei) and 43.5 percent were from Project Site II (Preak Kseav and Preak Trang). According to the survey results, most of the farmers did not have any knowledge of fasciolosis, disease impact and disease prevention. They remarked that in their zones the animals were skinny, suffered from diarrhoea and low fertility, with the price of live animals lower than the price prevailing in other places.

Extension: Extension activity on fasciolosis and control measures were conducted on Project Site II. Farmers who had cattle on the project location were invited to participate in the extension session (open-air school). Each session was conducted for two days. A total of 142 people (93 percent) on Project Site II participated in the program. School children aged between 13 and 17 years of age and their teachers also attended the program. The project conducted the extension class at schools located on the project site.

Refinement and validation of a GIS-based risk model for fasciolosis in Cambodia

A total of 1,132 faecal samples were collected from five districts in Kampong Cham province, which included 311 samples from high-risk areas, 301 samples from moderate-risk areas, 262 samples from low-risk areas and 262 samples from no-risk areas.

A census of cattle and buffalo in the selected districts was conducted in order to identify individual animals in these areas, and make a selection of some of them. Then the animals were randomly selected in numerical order.

The faecal examinations showed that 139 out of the 1,132 samples collected from the selected study site tested positive for Fasciola eggs. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis was found in Batheay district - 24.44%, followed by Prey Chhor - 11.96%, Chamcar Leu and Orang Ov districts - 6.72%, and Stoeung Trang - 3.43%.

The levels of prevalence of fasciolosis found in the field survey were generally in accord with predictions from the risk model, except in Stoeung Trang where the prevalence was higher than predicted. This mismatch between the GIS model and field survey results may be due to the distribution of animals and the fact that the use of the land within districts is unlikely to be uniform (some animals may be allowed to graze in areas where the risk of fasciolosis is high), as is implied by the model. However, the general agreement of the risk model with predicted prevalence in most districts surveyed suggests that the epidemiological determinants and weightings used to produce the model are appropriate.

Implementation and evaluation of an extension program for fasciolosis :

1. Extension training workshop
Reported in first annual report.

2. Production extension manual.
Reported in first annual report.

3. Production extension materials
Reported in first annual report.

4. Fasciolosis impacts, cost benefits of fasciolosis control and its measure the acceptance on control
Cattle of different age groups in two project sites were selected for the study on the impact of the prevalence of fasciolosis on weight gain, condition score, skin status, draft ability, animal sale, and reproductive performance. This information was collected every three months from September 2004 (first time) until June 2006 (seventh time). The two project sites have similar farming systems and grazing management. Project site I is Preak Thei of Saang district, Kandal province and was used as the control group. Project site II is Preak Kseav and Preak Trang of Saang district Kandal province and was used as the non control group or treatment group.

- Control group - Project site I (Preak Thei): Extension activity was not conducted, The selected animals were vaccinated against HS, FMD and given anthelmintic for helminths other than for fasciolosis.

- Non control group - Project site II (Preak Kseav and Preak Trang): Extension activity was conducted and Triclabendasole- the drug effective against fasciolosis was given in addition to the same treatments that were given to the control group.

Prevalence of fasciolosis : A total of 1,483 faecal samples from control and non control groups were examined.

In the control group, the infection rate of fasciolosis at the start (September 2004) was 39.35% (61 positive samples out of 155 faecal samples examined), 40.25% in January 2005, 41.66% in April 2005, 42.85% in August 2005, 44.44% in November 2005, 46.42% in February 2006 and 45.45% in June 2006.

In the non control group, the infection rate of fasciolosis at the start was 43.42%, and then it dropped and remained low after treatment and extension activity at 1.80%, 5.19%, 3.77%, 4.34%, 4.08% and 3.12% in January 2005, April 2005, August 2005, November 2005, February 2006 and June 2006, respectively.

Weight: Comparison of animal weight gain among control and non control groups found that the group receiving fasciolosis control gained 30kg more weight per annum.

Reproductive performance: Comparison of birth rates among control and non control groups found that the group receiving fasciolosis control had 10% more births per annum.

Animal sale: In the control group, 70.96% (110 heads) of the 155 selected animals were sold, while in the non control group, 68.0% (238 heads) out of the 350 animals were sold by June 2006.

5. Extension program to control fasciolosis in cattle in Saang and evaluation of the acceptance of the control program
Extension activities were implemented by the extension team from DAHP, OAHP of Kandal province under the supervision of extension specialists from CARDI and AED/CAAEP. A total of 587 farmers and stakeholders in project site II were involved in the education and extension training, of these 186 people attended in module I, 221 people in module II and 180 people in module III.

Evaluation of farmer/owner of understanding on fasciolosis :

The farmers in the project sites were selected, interviewed and given questionnaires to evaluate their understanding on fasciolosis. The questionnaires included 25 questions related to the life-cycle for Fasciola, disease impact and control measures. A total of 90 families (39.1%) out of 230 families in the two project sites participated the phase I survey and 113 families (49.1%) participated in the phase II survey. According to the survey results, at beginning of the programme most farmers both in project site I and project site II had very poor knowledge on fasciolosis, disease impact, and how to prevent the disease.

Results of the follow up surveys after extension activity had been carried out indicated that in project site I the average knowledge and understanding of Fasciola and fasciolosis was very low, while in project site II, 21.7% responded correctly to the survey questionnaire, 51.6% responded incorrectly and 26.4% admitted they do not know about fasciolosis, its impacts and how to control the disease.

Results of a second follow up survey after more extension activity had been carried out indicated farmers knowledge and understanding between project site I and II differed greatly. It indicated that 74.8% farmers in project site II responded correctly to the questionnaire, while the knowledge and understanding on fasciolosis and its control measures remained very low among farmers in project site I.

In conclusion, among farmers who received education and extension on fasciolosis and control measures, their knowledge and understanding was greatly enhanced.

Farmers were also interviewed to evaluate the acceptance, costs and benefits of control of fasciolosis in Saang district of Kandal province.
The activities were conducted from October 2005 with participation of 120 families where extension and education on fasciolosis was conducted. Results from the interview indicated the following:
- Farmers were satisfied with the extension programme on fasciolosis. It explained, demonstrated and helped farmers to understand the disease. In addition, it enabled them to address and discuss fasciolosis in groups;
- Farmers were convinced of the economic impacts of fasciolosis as they became involved in the programme, due to the fact that infected cattle had slower weight gain, lower fertility among reproductive females, weaker draft ability, worse skin and condition scores and increased liver damage;
- Extension materials such as sign boards, leaflets and banners drew farmers' attention to fasciolosis and the control programme;
- Farmers suggested that the programme should be extended.

Refinement and validation of a GIS-based risk model for fasciolosis for Cambodia
There were 1132 random faecal samples collected from five districts of Kampong Cham province, of these 311 samples were from high risk areas, 301 samples from moderate risk areas, 262 samples from low risk areas, and 262 samples from no risk areas.

The faecal examinations showed that 139 out of 1132 samples collected from the selected study site tested positive for Fasciola eggs. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis was found in Batheay district - 24.44%, followed by Prey Chhor - 11.96%, Chamcar Leu and Orang Ov districts - 6.72%, and Stoeung Trang - 3.43%.

The levels of prevalence of fasciolosis found in the field survey were generally in accord with predictions from the risk model, except in Stoeung Trang where the prevalence was higher than predicted. This mismatch between the GIS model and field survey results may be due to the distribution of animals and their use of the land within districts, which is unlikely to be uniform (some animals may be grazed in the areas where the risk of fasciolosis is higher), as is implied by the model. However, the general agreement of the risk model with predicted prevalence in most districts surveyed suggests that the epidemiological determinants and weightings used to produce the model are appropriate.