Three Day Sickness on its Way

Filed in Recent News by November 3, 2016

THERE have been reported cases of bovine ephemeral fever, commonly known as three day sickenss, in Queensland and veterinarians are encouraging farmers to vaccinate their cattle.

Lyndell Stone, district veterinarian for Local Land Services said farmers in the Upper Hunter considering vaccinating should do it now, since vaccinations need to be administered at least two months before the arrival of mosquitoes carrying the virus reaching the region, which is typically in late summer.

“Now is the ideal time for cattle farmers to consider their approach to managing bovine ephemeral fever (BEF),” Dr Stone said.

“Early reports from disease and insect surveillance in Queensland indicate that mosquito numbers are up and BEF is circulating in the north with cattle suffering infection over the past month,” she said.

“This indicates that areas to the south, including the Hunter, may receive yet another yearly seasonal influx of mosquitoes carrying the virus.

“If conditions continue, the virus might also arrive earlier than normal.”

“It is generally too late to vaccinate once cattle in your herd are affected. Effective protection requires two doses of the vaccine, four weeks apart,” Dr Stone explained.

“Dairy farmers generally routinely vaccinate their herd whilst beef producers employ varying vaccinations strategies depending on their management situation and approach to risk.

“This varies from blanket vaccination of a herd to strategic vaccination of high risk stock.

“Heavy animals such as well muscled steers and finished stock, bulls and pregnant cattle are the worst affected and may be key targets for vaccination to minimise production loss from BEF.”

The virus causes a fever, shivering, lameness and joint and muscle stiffness, cattle can become very sore and stiff and unable to stand until the pain and inflammation subsides.

Bulls can suffer temporary infertility for up to six months and pregnant females can abort due to the high fever.

Infected animals will often go down and require nursing care to prevent death by dehydration and to stand again.

For further information contact a veterinarian or visit the Hunter Local Land Services website at www.hunter.lls.nsw.gov.au

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