GRAVE STOCK DISEASE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1935, Page 9

GRAVE STOCK DISEASE

OCCURRENCE IN TARANAKI DISCUSSION BY FARMERS' UNION. DEPARTMENT RAISES QUESTION. NEED FOR KEEPING IT IN CHECK.

The existence of a serious stock disease in Taranaki and the Waikato which should be kept in check by strong measures was made apparent to the North Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union at New Plymouth yesterday by the Department of Agriculture. After the departments’ letter had been read members in making comments showed realisation that the matter was important.

The department advised that the disease was a bacterial infection of cattle. It was caused by a bacillus known as Johne’s . bacillus, named after Professor Johne, of the Veterinary School of Dresden, who first discovered it. The presence of Johne’s disease had been noted in Taranaki for the past seven years, although in all probability it was there before but was not detected. It was a disease of adul cattle and was of the nature of a chronic bacterial enteritis or inflammation of the intestines. The disease was a slow, insidious one in its onset and an animal might be affected for a long time before symptoms became apparent. Johne’s disease was a scheduled disease under the Stock Act and slaughter of the affected animals was obligatory. The greatest difficulty in connection with the control of the disease was due to the fact that animals might be infected' for a long- period before any symptoms were shown. During this time, however, such animals were capable, of spreading the infection to others. A diagnostic test had been developed for. the detection of the disease by some British investigators, the agent employed being known as Johnili. The department had been in close touch with this development and had procured the test agent for the purpose of testing cattle for the detection of the disease. The Government veterinarian at Stratford had done a considerable amount of testing in Taranaki. ' , Low-lying, wet pastures were likely to harbour the infection for a long period. In any case pastures where affected animals had been grazing should be left vacant of cows for some time. There was no known cur- for the disease, which was the cause of great economic loss in England and other countries to-day. It was very necessary that no effort should be spared to limit its spread. At the present time the existence of Johne’s disease in New Zealand was known only in Taranaki and the WaiThere were quite a number of animals in the district suffering from the serious disease, said Mr. A. E., Williams, Ornate, who gave instances of cases m Taranaki. It was decided to notify all branches.