Less Hydatids Found In 1960 Lambs, Says Report

Press, Volume C, Issue 29603, 28 August 1961, Page 14

Less Hydatids Found In 1960 Lambs, Says Report

There are clear indications from meat export works in various parts of New Zealand that livers of lambs bom during the 1960 spring were appreciably freer from hydatid infection than in previous years, according to the first annual report of the National Hydatids Council. Covering the period December 10, 1959, to March 31. 1961, the report says that the final test in progress in hydatid eradication is the freedom of farm animals from hydatid infection and, by implication. the corresponding freedom of humane. “The campaign has not been functioning for sufficient time for adult sheep and other farm animals to exhibit freedom from hydatid infection at slaughter to an appreciable extent "In any case, such assessments, to be reasonably accurate, would require to be based on a thorough examination of all offals and the abdominal eavity," the report says. At the present stage such examination on a large scale is understood to be impractible at meat export slaugh-ter-houses. the report say*. “Well Organised" "The whois of the Dominion is now well organised in the fight against hydatids.” the report says The campaign has advanced on a wide front, both through the central policy-making activities of the national council and through the efforts of the local authorities who are administering the scheme in their defined area*. .. J “Hydatids is being taekled primarily at source—the dog. 'which in New Zeeland is toe only animal capable of carrying the disease in its taoeworm stage and of passing

on infection to farm stock and human* alike. “The emphasis has been on the testing of all dogs for infection, freeing them from infection, and avoiding reinfection by education on matters of dog housing, feeding and general control, and on the proper disposal of offal on the farms. “The campaign has commanded great support, for more than ever before people are alert to the danger of the hydatid disease and the measures necessary to combat it With this wide appreciation of the hydatids problem, the co-operation of the vast majority of dog owners and farmers has been won. “Already the number of dogs found to be infected with hydatids as defined by the act has been markedly reduced.” says the report. “It is too early yet to be able to produce detailed figure* of the consequent reduction of infection in farm stock, and it is more difficult to show whether cases of human infection have been reduced. These ngures, however. will come to hand in time. “Certainly if present trends are maintained then we can confidently expect very considerable reductions in the near future in the percentage of livers condemned through hydatid infection al the export slaughter houses “At the same time we can be reassured by the fact that as the number of hydatidinfected dogs is reduced then » too, are the chances of human* becoming infected lessened," the report adds.