STOCK DISEASES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 14

STOCK DISEASES

DANGEES TO PEOPLE

PREVALENCE OF HYDATIDS

CO-OPERATIVE ACTION NEEDED APPEAL MADE BY LORD GALWAY [RY TELEGRAPH TRUSS ASSOCIATION] PALMERSTON NORTH, Thursday "For some time past the Government has appreciated the desirability of conducting a concerted attack on diseases prevalent in livestock," said the Gov-ernor-General, Lord Gal way, in the course of his address at the opening of the Iloyal Show to-day. "It is generally recognised that intensification in livestock management tends to increase the incidence of disease, and in a country such as ours, where our economic stability so depends on the products of animals, a serious economic problem is presented. Of ever, greater importance in the life of tho Dominion is the danger of infection among our human population, resulting from contact with or absorption of animal products from diseased stock. "Of the several diseases which afflict both mail and livestock, one, which is very common in New Zealand as well as in practically all sheep-raising countries, and which has caused considerable concern for many years, is hydatid disease. This condition is ono stage of the life cycle of a parasite in dogs, and develops when the eggs of the parasite are ■ swallowed by man, .sheep, cattle or pigs f Disease's Heavy Toll "For.many years past the attention of the public has been drawn to the incidence of this disease in New Zealand," Lord Galway continued, "but in spite' of the publicity which has been given. to the „*«bject, hydatid disease continues to take its toll in New Zealand. Every year our public hospitals alone are called on to/ treat*-well over 100 cases. Last year there wero 133, tho highest number yet recorded. Many- cases end fatally, the mortality rate being round Hhout>-4.6 P er oent, and those who survive havfe.,usually to suffer a long period of disablement —months or even years. This is a heavy price to pay for a definitely preventable disease, but it is not the whole price,..; "The high prevalence of hydatid disease in New Zealand is a reproach to our community. It is considered that in spite of years of intensive propaganda and health education, one third of the dogs of this country still harbour tho parasite. The question of carrying on, if possible, an even more intensive and effective campaign against tho disease is therefore now receiving tho attention of ; the Government. i Intensive Campaign "One suggestion which at present is under consideration is that every owner at the time he registers a dog should be required to buy a sufficient stock of arecolin hydro-bromide, or other approved vormicide, to enable him to carry out complete and thorough treatment of his dog every three months for the ensuing 12 months. The owner would ho given full! instructions m regard to the method of administration and have urged upon him tho importance of carrying out the directions supplied., "The Government, through the Ministers of Health and Agriculture, and both their departments, intends to embafk on an intensive campaign against the disease. Sir Louis Barnett and his colleagues, who have carried on so devotedly and successfully hydatid research work at the Otago Medical School, are anxious and willing to cooperate to the fullest extent. I invite you to join with us in a combined effort to stamp nut this disease from our midst. / Can be Eliminated "Already a great deal has been done, and done quite successfully, but within a limited sphere, to combat the dangers of the disease," said His Excellency. "More is required. Tt must be combated more/ strongly and effectively than ever before. It should be entirely eradicated. Sci3ntists who have studied and revealed the life-history of the parasite assert that it can be eliminated. To accomplish this objective would be to confer great benefit and blessings on the people of the Dominion, particularly on those men, women and children in country districts wlio are in j contact with that devoted servant and | companion of mankind, the dog, who j deserves the best care, attention and | treatment, and who. because of the lack I of essential care and precaution in con- j nec-tion with the food supplied to him, ; is involuntarily converted from a faith- : ful friend into a potential menace. j

"With tlja help and co-operation of farmers. sMjahejds. drovers, and all other owners of clogs, the tragical disease of hydatids can be overcome, and New Zealand can lead the world in thip, great accomplishment. There is no reason why it should not do so. There is every reason why it should."