Jaagsiekte is an African word for driving sickness.
It is a term used to describe the symptoms that sheep with ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) display.
OPA is a viral disease of sheep that results in tumours in the lungs.
The first sign of the disease is lagging behind when being moved, hence the term jaagsiekte.
As the disease progresses, a frothy discharge can be seen from the nose and confirmation of the diagnosis is by postmortem examination.
There is no practically available blood test and the only viable diagnostic test while the animal is alive is ultrasound scanning of the chest.
This is not close to 100% reliable either as small or deep tumours can be difficult or impossible to detect.
The disease is contagious and is transmitted by sheep even in the early stages.
Disease will transmit more readily if sheep are housed or confined and around feeding areas.
Reducing risk
There is currently no treatment available and control measures are all around biosecurity and reducing risk of contact.
Particular care should be taken when buying in replacement breeding sheep to reduce the risk of introducing the disease to an uninfected flock.
A closed flock is the best control measure to prevent introduction through purchasing.
In infected flocks, control is all about reducing density of sheep in particular around housing and feeding.
The disease is known to exist in many sheep producing countries including Ireland although the levels are considered very low in Ireland currently.
Remembering there are many more common reasons such as parasites like liver fluke which will cause sheep to lag behind, you should consult your own vet if you have concerns relating to OPA.
Donal Lynch, MVB XLVets, Slieve Bloom Veterinary
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