Liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica in New Zealand. Part 1. A spreading parasite in sheep and cattle

Authors: Pullan NB, Whitten LK
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 20, Issue 5, pp 69-72, May 1972
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Disease surveillance, Epidemiology, Liver/hepatic disease, Trematode, Parasites - internal
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: The common liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is an important cause of death and economic loss in many countries of the world. The loss can take the form of ill-thrift and consequent reduced meat, milk and wool production. Death can occur directly in severe infections or indirectly owing to black disease. Apart from this, there is the economic loss from the condemnation of infested livers for human consumption. Although the parasite was first recorded in this country about the turn of the century, by the early 1940s it was fortunately mainly confined to the Hawke`s Bay County with only isolated.foci elsewhere (Whitten, 1945). Since 1945, and especially in the last 10 years, there has been a rapid extension to other parts of New Zealand. It has been shown to be widespread in Northland and present in the Raglan area (Moxham et al 1969) as well as in other parts of the country previously thought to be free (Pullan, 1969; Harris and Charleston, 1971). Earlier work on liver fluke in this country has been prompted mainly by mortalities from black disease (Hopkirk, 1927a, b, 1928; Macfarlane, 1937) but the recent extension in geographic area has motivated a renewed interest. Brunsdon (1967) reviewed the occurrence and control of liver fluke in sheep and cattle. The purpose of this paper is to trace the history of liver fluke in New Zealand, to define the present situation, and to discuss the possible reasons for the recent spread.

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