Snail epidemic may cause liver fluke disease in livestock to spiral

THE wet weather has led to an epidemic of snails, with resultant fears that this autumn will be one of the worst ever for the liver fluke disease in cattle and sheep.

Fluke forecast expert, Professor Eddie Goodall, said the snail population acts as host for the fluke parasite.

“The atrocious wet summer conditions, combined with the carryover effect of disease from last year, means the risk of infection is extremely high,” he said.