Rural health can’t be compromised

Rural health can’t be compromised

Coalition calls for farmers to continue to vaccinate stock against leptospirosis to prevent human infection

Farmers are being urged to put the health and wellbeing of their families, workers and rural communities first and continue to vaccinate stock against leptospirosis, a highly infectious disease that can crossover from animals to humans and can be fatal.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent humans from contracting leptospirosis. The New Zealand Veterinary Association, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand have today joined forces to call for the continuation of leptospirosis prevention programmes throughout difficult times.

Chris Leach, Senior Developer - Animal Husbandry and Welfare Team Manager for DairyNZ, said “While dairy prices continue to remain low and farmers are looking to cut costs it is vital for farmers to see leptospirosis programmes as an investment in the health of their families as well as their farms. Leptospirosis can be very costly as people may be unable to work for months, or even unable to fulfil the physical requirements of running a farm.”

Jenny Weston, President of the NZVA’s Dairy Cattle Veterinarians, said “Missing just one year of vaccinations puts you right back to square one. If some cattle become infected during a lapsed vaccination period then they will continue to be a risk for infecting people even after vaccination has started again. It’s important to remember that vaccination for leptospirosis is a prevention and not a treatment.”

Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers animal welfare spokesperson, urges farmers to consider the Health and Safety implications that a decision to delay or not vaccinate, stating that “we have a responsibility to our workers and everyone involved in the food production cycle.”

Dr Jo Scott-Jones FRNZCGP, Chair of Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, states that the rural community is deeply concerned about reports that some farmers are delaying or not vaccinating herds to prevent leptospirosis. “New Zealand is amongst the countries with the highest incidence of leptospirosis in the world. Although leptospirosis in humans can be a mild and self limiting illness, it can also take a very severe course resulting in jaundice and multiple organ failure. Prevention is clearly the best policy through the use of protective clothing, hygiene and immunisation of animals. I would strongly urge people who may be at risk who get flu like symptoms to seek medical attention to obtain the correct diagnosis and treatment.”

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