CATTLE TICKS IN NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16760, 29 January 1918, Page 5

CATTLE TICKS IN NORTH.

NOT DISEASE CARRIERS. STATEMENT BY DR. REAKES. Some concern has been felt lately by farmers in North Auckland districts at the presence among cattle, horses, dogs, and, occasionally, sheep, of a species of tick which is associated with a serious cattle disease in Queensland, the United States, and South Africa. Questioned on the subject yesterday, Dr. C. G. Reakes, director of the live stock and meat division of the Department of Agriculture, said that this disease, which was known in Queensland as "tick fever," and in other countries by local names, was caused by the presence of minute parasitic bodies in the blood of affected animals. In the countries where it prevailed, the ticks, being blood-suck-ing parasites, were simply carriers of infection from animal to animal in the same way that mosquitoes were carriers of malaria fever from man to man.

" This disease," said Dr. Reakes, "does not exist, and has never been known to exist in New Zealand, and though a number of cattle, together with other classes of stock, in the North of Auckland district have been found to be harbouring ticks, close observation and careful investigation have failed to detect in these cattle any trace of tick fever or any form of sickness resembling it. Ticks have been found in this part of Now Zealand for some years past, but during the late spring they wero unusually numerous, this being considered to be due to the considerable amount of wot weather experienced being favourable to their dissemination. These ticks are of a different variety from those responsible for carrying disease in Queensland and America, though they are of allied species, and can only be differentiated by close examination. They are quite common parasites in most countries. " While there is nothing to fear from them in connection with contagious disease — long as we car. prevent its introduction into New Zealand— may be mischievous in the direction of reducing tho value of hides if present on individual animals in sufficient numbers. Their bloodsucking habit will reduce the condition of an animal harbouring large numbers of them. Their appearance is seasonal. They first appear in the early spring, and disappear about the end of January." Dr. Reakes added that Mr. W. T. Collins, of the permanent veterinary staff, had just returned from a visit of investigation through the districts where the ticks have been prevalent, and was furnishing a full report. Settlers had been given practical advice as to ho,w to free their cattle from the parasites. The Question of how best to prevent their furtner multiplication and spread was being considered, in order that the necessary measures might bo in operation when they again mado their appearance next spring. As regards treatment, continued Dr. •Reakes, it had been proved that in the case of fairly quiet animals spraying with Stockholm tar by means of a suitable pump was quite effective. The question of dealing with weed-run cattle was being considered. Settlers could obtain all available information on t.ia subject from the stock inspectors at Whangarei and Ohaeawai. Mr. U. Lyons, veterinary supervisor, Auckland, would direct operations in combating the parasite.