Stock owners are advised to keep a close eye on their live stock as an increase of the virus 3-day sickness (Bovine Ephemeral Fever) is striking local farms. It is a viral disease effecting cattle and buffalo.
While animals are only sick for a few days, a sudden onset of fever changing dramatically occurs. Going from a normal temperature of 38 degrees Celsius to a height of 41 degrees Celsius, their temperature ultimately returns to normal in a 36- hour period.
Some signs and symptoms of this virus can include animals not eating and drinking, a sudden and severe drop in milk production, and, more seriously, cows in advanced pregnancy may abort.
Due to the high fever, affected animals may shiver and often become very stiff and reluctant to move, joints may appear swollen and swelling can occur around the jaw area.
By day three most of these symptoms would have decreased and the animals can get back on their feet however weakness may occur for a few days after.
In a majority of the cases, the virus only runs for a short course, followed by an easy and quick recovery but the disease can vary in severity, some animals might show slight symptoms where as others may suffer for a number of weeks. The disease is usually milder in calves but can affect bulls. Fat cows show more severe signs than other cattle, because they are a bigger size so it is harder for them to regain their body weight that much sooner.
Milk production can drop by 50 per cent in sick cows, in the dairy herds the highest producing animals are the most severely affected by the disease. Most cows should return to normal after about three weeks but cows affected late in lactation often dry off.
A small proportion of animals that are affected with the virus may suffer a permanent paralysis due to any damage to the spinal cord or any other limbs that were damaged if the animal had fallen awkwardly.
Although most of the herd can be affected, deaths from the disease are very uncommon and rarely involve more than 1 per cent of the herd, this can be a result of misadventure or being down for a long period of time causing dehydration.
This virus is known to spread through biting insects. The most likely insect to transmit this disease in NSW are mosquitoes.
Due to the climatic conditions the insect has increased rapidly therefore spreading the disease around animals much quicker. Although it’s been nice to see some rain disadvantages are evident.
Three-day sickness usually occurs between the months of January and April, with the greatest number of cases in March. Cases in the winter and spring months are quite rare.
When an outbreak occurs in unvaccinated cattle not previously exposed to the virus the diagnosis of 3-day sickness is based on the signs the animals are showing. When most animals are immune and occasional cases occur, blood samples are taken for laboratory confirmation
Dr Charles Tilly at the Warren Veterinarian Hospital has reported a number of suspect cases around the Warren area and has recommended “good nursing for those affected, adequate shelter, food and water in close range and it takes its course and will be over in three to four days.”
Bulls and high-producing cows in early peak production should be treated promptly.
Dr Tilly has made it clear it is important for “bulls who are carrying the virus to seek attention as soon as possible because it may cause infertility for up to three months after.”
The animals affected with this disease need to be closely monitored and should be occasionally moved or rolled over several times a day to decrease the risk of losing circulation to the underside limbs, which is likely to cause muscle damage.
The heavier the animal the more critical it is to get back on its feet as quickly as possible.
Once cattle have been affected by the disease it is unlikely for the infection to come back for many years or for life, but immunity in animals can decrease after a few years especially in older ones.
A wide range of knowledge about the signs and symptoms for stock owners is very important to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.
Prevention of the disease is simple and includes getting your animals vaccinated every year as well as ensuring continued protection.
For any information on this please contact Charles Tilly on 6847 4795.
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