Counties along the Atlantic seaboard in the northwest, west and south are being classed as high risk for liver fluke this year.

According to the Department of Agriculture’s forecasting model for liver fluke (fasicola hepatica), the extremely wet summer and autumn has resulted in the Department classing these areas as being high risk.

The forecasting model is based on meteorological data provided by Met Éireann.

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The risk lowers to moderate for counties in the east. The risk lowers due to the significantly lower volume of rain, which fell east of the Shannon.

Liver fluke infection can cause illthrift in cattle and sheep. If the infection is very heavy, it can result in sudden death in sheep.

Incidents of liver fluke have been very low for the first 10 months of the year, but the recent heavy rainfall could result in higher rates being reported.