Facial eczema may be a major problem this autumn.FARMERS are being urged to be on the alert for facial eczema in their stock.
Early signs suggest this coming autumn could be an outbreak year for the potentially fatal cattle disease.
Gippsland farmers are being warned to watch for the spore-borne disease that thrives in warm, moist conditions.
Maffra-based District Veterinary Officer Jack Winterbottom said the Macalister Irrigation District had severe outbreaks of facial eczema in 1956, 1959, 1974 and 1981.
“Lots of properties and animals were affected and it caused death, severe photosensitisation and production losses,” Dr Winterbottom said.
“Facial eczema results from liver damage caused by toxic fungal spores at the base of pasture.
“A toxin called ‘sporidesmin’, produced on pasture litter by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum, causes facial eczema when it is ingested by stock grazing on the pasture.
“The toxin is absorbed from the intestine and reaches the liver, where it causes severe damage. All the outward signs of facial eczema result from the liver damage caused by sporidesmin,” he said.
“The disease in stock may be seen between seven and 20 days of grazing the toxic spores.
“The fungus is not visible to the naked eye. It multiplies by producing millions of spores, which are coated with the toxin, with freshly produced spores the most toxic.
“The fungus multiplies when humidity and temperatures at soil level remain high.
“The disease is most common from February to April following warm, moist conditions. A crucial factor is the minimum temperature being above 12 degrees for at least 72 hours.
“The climatic conditions we have experienced so far this spring and summer indicate that the coming autumn might well be an outbreak year.
“There were 19 nights in November when the temperature did not get below 12 degrees and farmers have reported mushrooms growing before Christmas – normally an autumn event.
“Comparing weather records for previous outbreak years show that this year is already the worst for the most warm nights above 12 degrees, both before and after Christmas.
“With the added factor of lots of moisture, both irrigation and natural rainfall, farmers need to be aware of the potential for an outbreak of facial eczema,” Dr Winterbottom said.
“All farmers should familiarise themselves with monitoring and control procedures and monitor spore counts on their farms. Spore counts vary dramatically from farm to farm and paddock to paddock, according to aspect, elevation, prevailing winds, pasture litter and height.”
Samples are processed through the farm veterinary practice, which can also advise about control and treatment measures.
If facial eczema is suspected, a veterinary practitioner should be called and affected animals should be immediately sheltered from direct sunlight.
For details phone a veterinarian or the local DPI office.
