ECZEMA IN SHEEP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22582, 10 March 1948, Page 3

ECZEMA IN SHEEP

QUICK OUTBREAK WAIKATO CONCERN The incidence of facial eczema among sheep in the Waikato and the northern part of the King Country is widespread. Outbreaks have occurred as far south as Aria and Pio Pio and around Hamilton, Morrinsville and Matamata. Apparently most of the flocks are affected in varying degrees. The disease shows variations in intensity from actue symptoms in which skin lesions and a jaundiced condition arise from badlv affected livers to almost undetectable liver damage and no other- observable symptoms. It is only when stock are killed at the freezing works that the real incidence of the disease can be gauged, and a close study of the carcases is being made by veterinary officers of the Department of Agriculture. In some lines that have come forward nearly every animal has been affected. Only a small minority of the carcases, however, warrant rejection. Unexpected Development The outbreak was unexpected. Although there were dry periods during the summer they were not considered unusual. Air and ground temperatures were not sufficiently abnormal to arouse suspicion. These temperatures have not approached those of 1938 when there was a severe outbreak throughout the Auckland Province involving a heavv loss of stock. The rains which fell on February 2,3, and 4 were heavy and certainly had a beneficial effect on the pastures, but the new growth was not so rapid as to constitute a danger signal. There were no know attemps to concentrate the stock and feed out hay and silage.

The first indications of the disease seem to have been observed about a iortnight aLer the rain and apoear to have t>een confined to the 'distric around Morrinsville and Matamata O.ei.v 2 or 3 per cent of the sheep showed outward symptoms, but the killings ai •he works disclosed a much greater percentage with liver damage.