The incidence of Haemonchus contortus infections in sheep abomasa received at animal health laboratories in New Zealand

Authors: Rutherford DM, Riffkin GG, Campbell E, Shirley DK, McKenna PB
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 21, Issue 1-2, pp 11-16, Jan 1973
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Disease surveillance, Environment, Epidemiology, Parasites - internal, Nematode, Seasonality/photoperiod
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: The role of mixed trichostrongyle infections as a cause of mortality, reduced liveweight gain and poor wool production in sheep in New Zealand has been clearly demonstrated by Brunsdon (1963a, 1964a, 1966). In view of the economic importance of these infections, it is rather surprising that little attention has been directed towards the incidence and distribution of the various species composing them. Apart from a small study taken over a 3­­-month period to determine the distribution of abomasal parasites of lambs (Filmer, 1949) and a report on the incidence of nematode species in cattle (Brunsdon, 1964b), the literature contains little reference to this aspect of host-parasite relationships in New Zealand. There is some variation between the pathogenicity of the various trichostrongyle species of sheep and the range of climatic conditions and management systems throughout the country could be expected to affect the levels of infection. Hence surveys on the geographical and seasonal incidence of these pathogens would seem desirable to help interpret results of anthelmintic trials undertaken in different localities, to facilitate studies on the epidemiology of the disease and to allow predictions of both where and when outbreaks are likely to occur…

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