Outbreaks Of Facial Eczema In North

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29765, 7 March 1962, Page 12

Outbreaks Of Facial Eczema In North

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 6. Outbreaks of facial eczema among sheep and cattle, already the worst for some years in parts of the Auckland province, are expected to become more widespread with the continuing hot and humid weather. The whole of Northland has been placed under a “red” warning by the Department of Agriculture. So far this month three lots of infection have been reported.

The carcases of about threequarters of a line of 31 wethers from Maungatapere were condemned at the Whangarei Municipal Abattoir and more than 30 others in 110 killed were infected. Most of them came from the Maungaturoto and Paparoa districts.

In the last 10 days spore counts have increased frem between 6000 and 7000 to 120.000 and the danger of widespread outbreaks has never been so serious.

Whakatane and Tauranga districts are having their worst outbreaks for some years. The Te Puke area appears to be affected the least. Rotorua and Taupo have been affected for the first time for five years. Farmers have been urged to keep their stock confined to restricted areas by departmental officers throughout the province. Bay Of Plenty

The Whakatane and Tauranga districts are experiencing their worst outbreaks of facial eczema for seven and 12 years respectively. A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, Rotorua, reported today that the danger of the disease throughout the Bay of Plenty

had become extreme. Dairy cattle appeared* to be the worst affected in the Whakatane district.

In the Galatea area about 75 per cent, of dairy herds were affected. The situation could become worse under existing conditions. The Department of Agriculture officers' in Tauranga report that Katikati is the worst area. Te Puke is less affected, although the edd “hot spot” occurs there. Dairy cattle and sheep are being affected and fresh outbreaks are being reported each day. The Rotorua and Taupo districts are having to cope with the disease for the first time in five years. Sheep farmers have been advised to take all precautions. Topping Pastures Topping of pastures had been associated with many outbreaks, the department’s livestock superintendent, Mr A. G. Brash, said. There was evidence, however, that the number of cases in the Waikato was increasing. Lamb livers showing damage after killing had increased from 1.6 per cent, on February 9, to 19 per cent, on March 2.

Eighty-four of 88 livers from a line of lambs from the Whatawhata district killed on March 1 showed damage and 13 carcases were condemned. Eight carcases from a line of 215 lambs from the Morrinsville district, killed last month, were also condemned.

Lines with up to 100 per cent, liver damage had been seen and symptoms could have developed in lambs that had not been slaughtered. Mr Brash said. Warnings have been issued to farmers and those in the Waikato have been told to keep their stock in exposed paddocks away from shelter. "Under present conditions there are not likely to be many safe paddocks,’* Mr Brash said.

“Where a crop is not available, farmers would be wise to confine sheep at the rate of 200 to the acre, and to feed hay. Hay should also be fed to cattle.” he said.