Almost 800 diagnostic samples and 919 foetus samples were submitted to the RVL as well as 610 carcases for testing.

The RVL's quarterly report shows that chronic fascioliasis is the most common cause of death in sheep followed by acute fascioliasis . More commonly known as liver fluke, this infection is most prevalent in wet conditions as it requires the mud snail as a host for growth. The top 10 causes of sheep mortality are as follows:

  • Fascioliosis - Chronic (29).
  • Fascioliosis- Acute (28).
  • Bacteraemia/Septicaemia (27).
  • Pneumonia (26).
  • Enteritis (26).
  • Encephalitis.
  • Metritis.
  • Poisoning.
  • Malnutrition.
  • Ruminal Acidosis.

    • The rise of chronic and acute fasciola comes as no surprise due to the large rainfall amounts that have fallen from January to March.

    Interestingly, poisoning was also commonly recorded as a cause of death among sheep in this quarter. Rhododendron and Pieris flowers poisoning were recorded in nine cases.

    The Department of Agriculture is calling on gardeners/flock owners to be aware of the danger of sheep gaining access to gardens or of garden clippings being dumped in grazing pasture.

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