A study of the spatial network structure of ethnic regions in Northwest China based on multiple factor flows in the context of COVID-19: Evidence from Ningxia.

As an underdeveloped and low-income region, the development of minority regions in Northwest China is crucial. As an important part of minority regions, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has insufficient endogenous power for stable economic development and high risk of returning to poverty. On the whole, the Ningxia county network shows a spatial pattern of high in the north and low in the south. However, there are great differences in the centrality of different factor flow networks. The factor connections between most counties are weak, and a close innovation network has not yet been formed. There is an obvious administrative clique structure, showing a certain degree of self-enclosure. The factor flows between counties are relatively uniform and greatly affected by geographic distance. From the perspective of integrated flow, the Ningxia county network presents a distinct core-periphery circle structure. Population size and GDP are the main factors affecting the spatial network. The policy implication of this study is that Ningxia Autonomous Prefecture should coordinate the planning of the region's economy, technology, and transportation, so as to reduce the development gap between counties by enhancing the closeness of the county spatial association network, and ultimately realize the region's high-quality development.

Spatial-temporal changes of landscape and habitat quality in typical ecologically fragile areas of western China over the past 40 years: A case study of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

In this paper, we use the InVEST model and five periods of land use data from 1980 to 2020 to assess the habitat quality of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Western China, which has characteristics of a typical fragile ecosystem. We further analyse the spatial and temporal characteristics of habitat quality evolution and its relationship with land use and landscape pattern indices to explore the close relationship between regional habitat quality changes and human natural resource conservation and utilization. The research results show that the overall habitat quality of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was stable and at a moderate level (0.57-0.60) during the 40 years from 1980 to 2020; Habitat patches (2020) with low (24.89%), high (22.45%) and very high (29.81%) quality occupy a larger proportion of the area, followed by very low (13.31%) and moderate levels (9.54%). Over the past 40 years, there have been 275 sample sites in Ningxia where habitat quality has deteriorated, 1593 sample sites where the habitat quality has remained stable, and 184 sample sites where the habitat quality has increased. From 1980 to 2020, the Mean Patch Area of landscape types in Ningxia decreased by 25.9 hm2. The Patch Density increased by 0.06 /hm2. The Largest Patch Index decreased by 15.69%. The Edge Density increased by 2.5 m/hm2. The Contagion Index decreased by 2.99%. The Area-Weighted Mean Patch Fractal Dimension remained basically unchanged (0.01). The Landscape Shape Index showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, increasing by 13.94. The Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index has been reduced by 9.45. The Shannon Diversity Index and Shannon Evenness Index both show an increasing trend, but the amplitude is relatively small, with 0.09 and 0.04, respectively. There was a significant spatial aggregation of high and low habitat quality in Ningxia, with high values usually distributed in the northern and southern areas with good natural conditions and low values distributed in areas with frequent human activities and poor natural conditions. The decrease in habitat quality in Ningxia was mainly due to the expansion of cultivated land and construction land, the increase in landscape fragmentation and the resulting decrease in connectivity. On the other hand, due to the implementation of ecological protection measures, such as the project of returning farmland to pasture and grass to forest, the quality of habitats in Ningxia increased. The conclusions of this study support the idea that the conservation of habitat quality in ecologically fragile areas should fully preserve the original natural habitats and reduce the interference of human activities to increase the habitat suitability of the landscape and the habitat connectivity between patches. At the same time, targeted ecological protection policies should be developed to restore the areas where the habitat quality has been damaged and ultimately maintain the stability of biodiversity and ecosystems in ecologically fragile areas. Meanwhile, for ecologically fragile areas with similar ecological characteristics to those of Ningxia, our research supports the idea of increasing the protection of the stability of the original habitats, increasing the proportion of ecological restoration projects, financial investment and seeking cooperation with local community managers and residents will help to improve the quality of the regional habitats and the enrichment of the biodiversity, and ultimately promote the harmonious coexistence of human beings and nature in the modernized sense of the word.

Interpreting regional ecological security from perspective of ecological networks: a case study in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.

The rapid economic development and intense human activities have seriously restricted the sustainable development of ecology and the maintenance of ecosystem services. Ecological network can effectively connect fragmented habitats and is an important way to couple landscape structure, ecological process, and function. This study proposes a multimodel coupling framework to explore the ecological security status of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) under different development scenarios from the perspective of ecological networks. The conclusions are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2030, grassland and arable land were the main land types of NHAR. Grassland is the main expansion land type under the ecological land protection (ELP) scenario, while construction land is the main expansion land type in two other scenarios. (2) The main gather and change of the ecological sources occurred in the central region, and the ecological expansion should develop from the middle to the south. (3) The average area of ecological sources under BAU and RED scenarios is smaller than that under ELP scenario, and more ecological corridors are needed to connect. (4) The centrality of the ecological sources under the BAU scenario is generally high, but the ecological sources under ELP and RED scenarios have undergone spatial migration. In addition, the urbanization trend of NHAR is different under different scenarios, and more attention should be paid to the maintenance and protection of ecological networks in typical areas. This study can provide important reference for NHAR's ecological space planning and ecological protection policy formulation.

A new species of Validifemur Ma, Song & Zhu, 2007 (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae) from northwest China.

Background: The myriapod fauna of China is still poorly known and very little attention has been paid to the study of Lithobiomorpha, with only more 100 species/subspecies hitherto known from the country, amongst which are only three species of Validifemur. Here we are describing a new species from northwest China. New information: A new lithobiid species, Validifemurradispinipes sp. n., is described and illustrated from Wolong Mountain Park, Jingyuan County, Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China. The new species is compared with V.pedodontus Ma, Song & Zhu, 2007 from Shaanxi Province, China. Type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Myriapodology, School of Life Sciences, Hengshui University, Hengshui, China.

Spatio-temporal analysis of the coupling relationship between urbanization and eco-environment in backward regions of China.

The strategy of the Silk Road Economic Belt in China has promoted the urban development of the backward regions in the west, but it might also cause serious eco-environmental concerns. Studying the coupling relationship between urbanization and the eco-environment (UEE) is essential to promote the sustainable development in backward regions. This study developed a combined method of coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, linear regression, and gray relational analysis (GRA) model to investigate the spatio-temporal coupling relationship and the influencing factors between UEE in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR), a typical backward region along the Silk Road Economic Belt. Results show that (1) the economic urbanization and eco-environmental pressure made the largest contribution to the system of urbanization and eco-environment, respectively. (2) The overall CCD in NHAR showed a linear upward trend from 2001 to 2018, while the CCD of each district presented significant spatial difference. The CCDs in the more developed northern regions were generally higher than those in southern mountainous regions. (3) Furthermore, population factors were the main mechanism imposing stress on the eco-environment, and the factors of eco-environmental status had higher restrictive effect on urban development in NHAR. This study could provide theoretical basis for investigating the interaction between UEE in backward regions, which might enable policymakers to formulate targeted sustainable development plans.

[Evaluation of the effect of the integrated echinococcosis control program in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the integrated echinococcosis control program in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018. METHODS: A package of integrated interventions were employed for echinococcosis control in 22 counties (districts) of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, including screening of human echinococcosis, treatment of echinococcosis patients, deworming of domestic dogs and monitoring of infections, surveillance of echinococcosis in bovines and sheep, health education. The detection of human echinococcosis, seroprevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody in children at ages of 6 to 12 years, the Echinococcus coproantigen-positive rate in domestic dogs, prevalence of echinococcosis in bovines and sheep, and the awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge were investigated and compared during the period between 2011 and 2018. RESULTS: The detection of human echinococcosis appeared a decline tendency in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region over years during the period from 2011 to 2018 (χ2trend = 82.22, P < 0.05), and the prevalence of human echinococcosis decreased from 0.31% in 2011 to 0.15% in 2018. The seroprevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody appeared a decline tendency in children at ages of 6 to 12 years over years (χ2trend = 439.64, P < 0.01), and the prevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody decreased from 6.12% in 2011 to 0.67% in 2018. The Echinococcus coproantigen-positive rate appeared a decline tendency in domestic dogs over years (χ2trend = 260.33, P < 0.05), and the prevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody decreased from 7.11% in 2011 to 0.75% in 2018. The prevalence of bovine and sheep echinococcosis reduced from 3.26% and 5.08% in 2011 to 1.35% and 0.76% in 2018, and Echinococcus predominantly parasitized in bovine (92.00%) and sheep (93.94%) livers. A total of 63 stool samples were collected from red fox, wolf and badger in Xiji and Haiyuan counties of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2013 and 2014, with no Echinococcus coproantigen-positives detected, and 107 domestic cats and 3 domestic dogs were dissected in these two counties, with no Echinococcus found. A total of 6 046 wild mice were dissected in Xiji County, Yuanzhou District and Haiyuan County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2016 to 2019, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis was 0.31%. The awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge appeared an increasing tendency in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region over years from 2011 to 2018 (χ2trend = 3 367.97, P < 0.01), and the awareness increased from 21.83% in 2011 to 72.24% in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated echinococcosis control program achieves a remarkable effect in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and the transmission of echinococcosis has been preliminarily controlled. However, the echinococcosis transmission risk remains in few regions, and the integrated echinococcosis control program remains to be reinforced.

Multi-locus sequence typing of Mycoplasma bovis to assess its genetic diversity from 2009 to 2018 in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is a highly contagious cattle pathogen spreading worldwide and especially in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China. RESULTS: Two types of ST, ST10and ST134, were identified in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Thirty-seven strains belonged to ST10 and 28 strains belonged to ST134. ST134 was a new ST and first found in 2009 and was only widely distributed in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region at present. The M. bovis ST10 was widely spread in many provinces in China and was widespread in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region since 2010. It is speculated that the prevalence of M. bovis ST10 in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region began in 2010. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first report on the genetic diversity of M. bovis from 2009 to 2018 in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and provides the epidemiological information. These results may help further our understanding of the evolution of M. bovis and provide information that may be useful for the development of novel vaccines.

Occurrence of Trichophyton verrucosum in cattle in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, China.

BACKGROUND: Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is an important cattle breeding area in China, and cattle breeding bases are located in this area. In Ningxia, dermatophytes have not been paid attention to, so dermatophytosis is becoming more and more serious. For effective control measures, it is important to determine the disease prevalence and isolate and identify the pathogenic microorganism. RESULTS: The study showed the prevalence of dermatophytes was 15.35% (74/482). The prevalence in calf was higher than adult cattle (p < 0.05). The morbidity was the highest in winter compared with autumn (p < 0.0001), summer (p < 0.05) and spring (p < 0.0001). The prevalence in Guyuan was the highest compared with Yinchuan (p < 0.05) and Shizuishan (p < 0.05). The incidence of lesions on the face, head, neck, trunk and whole body was 20.43, 38.71, 20.43, 10.75 and 9.68%, respectively. From all samples, the isolation rate of Trichophyton was highest (61.1%). The phylogenetic tree constructed showed that the 11 pathogenic fungi were on the same branch as Trichophyton verrucosum. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports, for the first time, the presence of Trichophyton verrucosum in cattle in Ningxia and showed that the incidence of dermatophytosis is related to different regions, ages and seasons. A better knowledge of the prevalence of dermatophytosis of cattle may allow the adoption of more efficient control measures and prophylaxis.

Prevalence and multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in Tan sheep (Ovis aries) in northwestern China.

Giardia duodenalis is a common intestinal protozoa, which can cause the occurrence of diarrhea, weight loss, and even death in animals or human, this threatens the husbandry industry and public health. It can infect virtually humans and all domestic animals including sheep. Tan sheep is one of the most important sheep breeds, which is short-tailed indigenous sheep breed used for production of high quality meat and pelts in China. However, there are no report regarding the occurrence and multilocus genotyping of G. duodenalis in Tan sheep in northwestern China. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and multilocus genotypes of G. duodenalis in Tan sheep. 1014 fecal samples were collected from Tan sheep from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and three loci (ß-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes) were amplified by nested PCR. The prevalence of G. duodenalis in Tan sheep was 14.5% (147/1014), two assemblages (assemblage A, n = 43; and E, n = 90) were detected, including one novel assemblage A at bg locus, one novel assemblage A at tpi locus, and 10 and 11 novel subtypes of assemblage E were detected at the bg and gdh loci, respectively. One MLGs was formed based on sequence variation among the three loci. Moreover, 9 Tan sheep were infected with two assemblages (A and E) based on the three loci. These findings expand the host range of G. duodenalis and revealed genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblages in Tan sheep.

Evaluation of the effect of the integrated echinococcosis control program in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of the integrated echinococcosis control program in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018. MethodsA package of integrated interventions were employed for echinococcosis control in 22 counties (districts) of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, including screening of human echinococcosis, treatment of echinococcosis patients, deworming of domestic dogs and monitoring of infections, surveillance of echinococcosis in bovines and sheep, health education. The detection of human echinococcosis, seroprevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody in children at ages of 6 to 12 years, the Echinococcus coproantigen-positive rate in domestic dogs, prevalence of echinococcosis in bovines and sheep, and the awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge were investigated and compared during the period between 2011 and 2018. Results The detection of human echinococcosis appeared a decline tendency in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region over years during the period from 2011 to 2018 (χ2trend = 82.22, P < 0.05), and the prevalence of human echinococcosis decreased from 0.31% in 2011 to 0.15% in 2018. The seroprevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody appeared a decline tendency in children at ages of 6 to 12 years over years (χ2trend = 439.64, P < 0.01), and the prevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody decreased from 6.12% in 2011 to 0.67% in 2018. The Echinococcus coproantigen-positive rate appeared a decline tendency in domestic dogs over years (χ2trend = 260.33, P < 0.05), and the prevalence of anti-Echinococcus antibody decreased from 7.11% in 2011 to 0.75% in 2018. The prevalence of bovine and sheep echinococcosis reduced from 3.26% and 5.08% in 2011 to 1.35% and 0.76% in 2018, and Echinococcus predominantly parasitized in bovine (92.00%) and sheep (93.94%) livers. A total of 63 stool samples were collected from red fox, wolf and badger in Xiji and Haiyuan counties of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2013 and 2014, with no Echinococcus coproantigen-positives detected, and 107 domestic cats and 3 domestic dogs were dissected in these two counties, with no Echinococcus found. A total of 6 046 wild mice were dissected in Xiji County, Yuanzhou District and Haiyuan County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2016 to 2019, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis was 0.31%. The awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge appeared an increasing tendency in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region over years from 2011 to 2018 (χ2trend = 3 367.97, P < 0.01), and the awareness increased from 21.83% in 2011 to 72.24% in 2018. Conclusions The integrated echinococcosis control program achieves a remarkable effect in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and the transmission of echinococcosis has been preliminarily controlled. However, the echinococcosis transmission risk remains in few regions, and the integrated echinococcosis control program remains to be reinforced.

Occurrence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Chinese Tan sheep in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic parasite which is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen of humans and animals. A number of studies have reported E. bieneusi infection in various animals. However, no information is available on the occurrence of E. bieneusi in Tan sheep, a unique indigenous sheep species in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. The objectives of the present study were to examine the prevalence and identify the genotypes of E. bieneusi in Tan sheep in China. A total of 1014 fecal specimens of Tan sheep from six farms in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were examined by nested PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The total prevalence of E. bieneusi was 12.2% (124/1014), ranging from 0.5 to 22.2% on six farms. Sequence analysis identified 10 genotypes of E. bieneusi, including three known genotypes, BEB6, COS-I, and CHG13, and seven novel genotypes designated as NX1 to NX7, which all belonged to group 2 by phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report describing the prevalence of E. bieneusi in Tan sheep, and the new genotypes identified in the current study expand the genotype distribution of E. bieneusi. These findings provide baseline data and have implications for the epidemiology and control of E. bieneusi infection in Tan sheep.

Estimating the prevalence of Echinococcus in domestic dogs in highly endemic for echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are highly endemic in Xiji County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) in China where the control campaign based on dog de-worming with praziquantel has been undertaken over preceding decades. This study is to determine the current prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis in domestic dogs and monitor the echinococcosis transmission dynamics. METHODS: Study villages were selected using landscape patterns (Geographic Information System, GIS) for Echinococcus transmission "hot spots", combined with hospital records identifying risk areas for AE and CE. A survey of 750 domestic dogs, including copro-sampling and owner questionnaires, from 25 selected villages, was undertaken in 2012. A copro-multiplex PCR assay was used for the specific diagnosis of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis in the dogs. Data analysis, using IBM SPSS Statistics, was undertaken, to compare the prevalence of the two Echinococcus spp. in dogs between four geographical areas of Xiji by the χ2 test. Univariate analysis of the combinations of outcomes from the questionnaire and copro-PCR assay data was carried out to determine the significant risk factors for dog infection. RESULTS: The highest de-worming rate of 84.0% was found in the northwest area of Xiji County, and significant differences (P <  0.05) in the de-worming rates among dogs from the four geographical areas of Xiji were detected. The highest prevalence (19.7%, 59/300) of E. multilocularis occurred in northwest Xiji, though the highest prevalence (18.1%, 38/210) of E. granulosus occurred in southwest Xiji. There was no significant difference (P >  0.05) in the prevalence of E. granulosus in dogs from the northwest, southwest, northeast, and southeast of Xiji, but there were significant differences (P <  0.05) between dogs infected with E. multilocularis from the four areas. None of the other independent variables was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study indicate a high prevalence of both E. granulosus and E. muiltilocularis in dogs in Xiji County, NHAR. Transmission of E. multilocularis was more impacted by geographical risk-factors in Xiji County than that of E. granulosus. Dogs have the potential to maintain the transmission of both species of Echinococcus within local Xiji communities, and the current praziquantel dosing of dogs appears to be ineffective or poorly implemented in this area.

Spatial prediction of the risk of exposure to Echinococcus spp. among schoolchildren and dogs in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.

The geographical distribution of Echinococcus spp. infections in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) has been reported to be expanding in response to environmental change. The aim of the present study was to predict and compare the spatial distribution of human seropositivity for Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis and infections with these parasites in dogs in four counties in the south of NHAR to identify communities where targeted prevention and control efforts are required. Predicted seroprevalence of E. granulosus in schoolchildren and E. granulosus infections in dogs concurred spatially, whereas predicted seroprevalence of E. multilocularis in schoolchildren and E. multilocularis infections in dogs differed spatially. Enhanced vegetation index was significantly associated with E. multilocularis seropositivity among schoolchildren, and infections with E. granulosus and E. multilocularis in dogs. A positive association was also found between dog infection with E. granulosus and cultivated land, and a negative association between human seropositivity for E. granulosus and bare-land/artificial surfaces. The findings of this study support the importance of land cover and climatic variables in determining habitat suitability for Echinococcus spp. infections, and suggest that definitive hosts other than dogs (e.g. foxes) are important in defining the geographical risk of human seropositivity for E. multilocularis in NHAR.

Environmental risk factors and changing spatial patterns of human seropositivity for Echinococcus spp. in Xiji County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.

BACKGROUND: Human echinococcoses are parasitic helminth infections that constitute a serious public health concern in several regions across the world. Cystic (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in China represent a high proportion of the total global burden of these infections. This study was conducted to predict the spatial distribution of human seropositivity for Echinococcus species in Xiji County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR), with the aim of identifying communities where targeted prevention and control efforts are required. METHODS: Bayesian geostatistical models with environmental and demographic covariates were developed to predict spatial variation in the risk of human seropositivity for Echinococcus granulosus (the cause of CE) and E. multilocularis (the cause of AE). Data were collected from three cross-sectional surveys of school children conducted in Xiji County in 2002-2003, 2006-2007 and 2012-2013. Environmental data were derived from high-resolution satellite images and meteorological data. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis was 33.4 and 12.2%, respectively, across the three surveys. Seropositivity for E. granulosus was significantly associated with summer and winter precipitation, landscape fragmentation variables and the extent of areas covered by forest, shrubland, water and bareland/artificial surfaces. Seropositivity for E. multilocularis was significantly associated with summer and winter precipitations, landscape fragmentation variables and the extent of shrubland and water bodies. Spatial correlation occurred over greater distances for E. granulosus than for E. multilocularis. The predictive maps showed that the risk of seropositivity for E. granulosus expanded across Xiji during the three surveys, while the risk of seropositivity for E. multilocularis became more confined in communities located in the south. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of high-risk areas for seropositivity for these parasites, and a better understanding of the role of the environment in determining the transmission dynamics of Echinococcus spp. may help to guide and monitor improvements in human echinococcosis control strategies by allowing targeted allocation of resources.

Impact of "Grain to Green" Programme on echinococcosis infection in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is endemic among the human population of Xiji County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, where the prevalence is estimated to be between 2.2% and 3.6%. Government-run sheep abattoirs in Xiji County have closed in recent years and, as a consequence, slaughter is carried out mostly at rural market places. The market place in Xinglong Township, Xiji County, is home to an increasing number of stray dogs and the lack of government control over slaughter practices potentially favours Echinococcus granulosus transmission. A survey of sheep, goats and cattle reared in Xiji County was conducted in Xinglong Market and Xinglong Township to determine prevalence and transmission dynamics of E. granulosus infection. The liver and lungs of all livestock aged one year and older were examined macroscopically post mortem; visual examination and palpation of organs determined overall prevalence of E. granulosus. Cysts consistent in appearance with E. granulosus were observed in 2/184 sheep (prevalence 1.0%) and 1/55 of the cattle examined (prevalence 1.8%); 0/13 goats were found to be infected. However, microscopic examination of these suspected cysts failed to confirm these samples as E. granulosus, giving a prevalence of confirmed infection of zero percent in all three species. The prevalence of liver fluke was 61.3% in sheep and 12.7% in cattle with a significant difference between males and females (p ≤ 0.001). Considering the high prevalence of echinococcosis in the local human population, the absence of CE observed among commercially slaughtered livestock was surprising. Several explanations for this discrepancy and their implications are proposed.