Draft Media Release
For immediate release
4/3/08
AsureQuality confirms Facial Eczema spore counts on the rise
Spore counts on the rise across most areas of the North Island is of concern to AsureQuality's facial eczema monitoring
programme.
AsureQuality has partnered with Gribble Veterinary, AgriFeeds Limited, Meat & Wool NZ, RD1, Dairy NZ and a number of veterinary practices to produce regular facial eczema spore count reports mainly
for the North Island.
The past week has seen a rise in spore counts across most areas and farmers are being urged to ensure they have systems
in place for stock in the high spore count areas of Whangarei, Gisborne, Wairoa, Wanganui and Horowhenua regions.
AsureQuality's District Manager Wayne Baxter says an increase in spore counts to moderate in the Franklin, Hauraki
Plains, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions was expected given the prevailing conditions.
"It's vitally important for farmers in the areas where there is a high spore count that preventative measures have been
taken for stock and in the areas where spore counts are moderate that farmers are proactively thinking about protecting
their livestock."
Common techniques for preventing facial eczema include giving zinc oxide by regular oral drenching, zinc sulphate via
the water supply, intra-runimal long-acting boluses, and spraying pasture with fungicide.
"The reason for the rise has come as a result of the rain and the resultant humid conditions parts of the country
experienced last week." said Mr Baxter.
Mr Baxter is also reminding farmers to act before facial eczema symptoms appear.
"Be aware that by the time five percent of a herd or flock have obvious skin damage, up to 70% of the group will be
liver damaged" said Baxter.
Infected animals display signs of photosensitisation and look distressed. The first signs are often reddening and
swelling of skin exposed to the sun (i.e. around the eyes, ears, lips, nose and udder) as well as restlessness, shaking
and rubbing of the head and ears, and the seeking of shade.
Farmers now have an online resource to help the track facial eczema with weekly spore count reports posted on line with
www.asurequality.co.nz , www.meatandwoolnz and www.rd1.com
About facial eczema
Facial eczema affects sheep and cattle (and to a lesser extent goats and deer) throughout the North Island and northern
end of the South Island. Historically these have been the most prone areas however changing weather patterns are
resulting in facial eczema being evidenced in wider locations. It is responsible for serious production losses with
affected stock suffering liver and skin damage, which together contribute to ill-thrift, reduced fertility, reduced milk
production, and in severe cases death. Warm, humid conditions support the growth of a fungus (Pithomyces chartarum) in
pasture which produces a toxin (sporidesmin) that poisons the liver. As the liver cannot get rid of phylloerythrin, a
chlorophyll breakdown product, it circulates in the blood. Phylloerythrin releases energy when exposed to sunlight
causing skin damage similar to severe sunburn.
ENDS