High-risk warning on fluke infection

LIVESTOCK farmers along the Western Seaboard counties have been advised this week of an increased livestock threat following an extremely wet late Summer and early Autumn period.

The Ollerenshaw Summer Index for fluke – based on weather and clinical data – indicates a high fluke risk in Galway, Mayo and Donegal as well as parts of the Midlands and the South-West.

“Data from this survey indicates that the majority of infected flocks are from counties on the Western Seaboard with a particularly number of positive results from flocks in Mayo and Donegal,” according to the latest Dept. of Agriculture Liver Fluke Forecast.

In the Ollerenshaw Index, any rating over 400 is high; 300 to 400 is medium; while below 300 is regarded as low-risk – two of the Galway readings came in at 433 and 464 for the Summer/ Autumn period.

The Dept. of Agriculture have advised farmers in the high risk to consult with their vet to devise and appropriate treatment and control programme with particular attention to be given to dosing cattle at the time of housing.

Joanne Masterson, Business and Technology Adviser with Teagasc, Galway/Clare, told the Farming Tribune that farmers should watch closely for the signs of fluke in livestock such as paleness around the eyes/gums, loss of condition and swelling around the jaw.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.