Farmers reminded to vaccinate

SUCKLER and dairy farmers have been reminded about the importance of vaccinating against leptospirosis, the infectious disease that causes abortions, weak calves and sudden drops in milk yield.

Farmers, and others in contact with an infected animal, are also at risk of picking up the highly debilitating disease which causes flu-like illness with muscle pain and headaches, leading in some cases to meningitis.

Fergal Morris, veterinary specialist with Intervet-Schering Plough, said the prevalence of leptospirosis in dairy cows is well-known, with 90% of dairy farmers carrying out routine vaccination.