Fluke on the march

THIS is an extremely high risk year for liver fluke, according to Professor Eddie Goodall of Queens University Belfast’s computerised disease forecasting system.

Early this year, liver condemnations due to fluke were up to 60% in cows and 30% in sheep. Wet and humid weather, and carry-over from last year, increase the threat from the parasite, estimated to cost the agricultural industry about €90 million per year.

“Atrocious levels of rain, combined with favourable humidity conditions, are absolutely ideal for the proliferation of snails which play host to the fluke parasite who then attack the livers of cattle and sheep. This widespread invasion has been considerably assisted by the carryover effect from last winter,” said Professor Goodall.