MUCOSAL IN WAIRARAPA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28894, 14 May 1959, Page 16

MUCOSAL IN WAIRARAPA

‘Stand-Still’ May Re Relaxed (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 13. Modification of the present “stand-still” order on the movement of sheep and cattle in the Wairarapa, the result of the outbreak of mucosal, is contemplated. The Director-General of Agriculture (Mr P. W. Smallfield) said today that it might be possible to lift the restrictions in about a week’s time. Senior officers of the department met to discuss cabled advice from departmental officers who are investigating mucosal in the United States and the United Kingdom. “Overseas information indicates that mucosal is varied in its symptoms and that there are probably a number of predisposing causes which influence the course and severity of the virus infection,” said Mr Smallfield. ‘‘These matters are now being closely investigated at Wallaceville animal research station and on the Waipukurau farm where an outbreak occurred recently. ‘‘ln the meantime, and if nothing unforeseen happens, it might be possible to lift the stock control restrictions in the Wairarapa in about a week’s time. Until then, permission to hold local sheep sales will be given provided none of the sheep goes out of the stock control area. 70 Deaths

‘‘There has been a tendency for severity of the present outbreak in the Wairarapa to be exaggerated,” said Mr Smallfield. ‘‘So far, there have been deaths on only six farms and total deaths, apart from animals slaughtered as a control measure, have been about 70. Publicity given to restrictions the department had to impose in its concern to control spread of the disease may have given the impression that mortalities were higher than they actually were. “First-hand information we are now getting from our own officers who are overseas and experience from the present outbreaks show that the disease is variable in its incidence and severity.

“Overseas experience is that it can occur in a mild form that is very difficult to recognise, and it is possible that unreported outbreaks have occurred previously in New Zealand. “Sudden changes in diet could be a predisposing cause of outbreaks, and diagnosis in the present outbreaks has been made increasingly difficult because, at this time of year, sporadic outbreaks of acorn poisoning are possible. These complicating factors are all being investigated by departmental officers in an effort to discover as much as possible about the disease and the circumstances of its occurrence as a safeguard for the future,” said Mr Smallfield.