Cattle producers urged to get their herd vaccinated against three day sickness

Hunter Local Land Services have put out a warning to local cattle producers to consider vaccination against Three Day Sickness this spring.

Hunter and Mid Coast cattle producers are being asked to consider their management approach to Three Day Sickness, this spring. Supplied Local Land Services.

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With hot dry summers the past two years, cattle across the Hunter region have had little exposure to the viral infection Three Day Sickness.

It’s prompted a warning from Hunter Local Land Services that vaccination should be considered this spring with a potential bout suffered by local herds expected to be severe.

Three Day Sickness, also known as Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF) is a viral disease of cattle transmitted by mosquitoes and midges.

The virus causes lameness and fever and cattle can become recumbent. It can also affect bull fertility and cause abortion in breeders.

With hot dry summers the past two years, cattle across the Hunter region have had little exposure to the viral infection. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Monthly blood sampling results of the sentinel herds across the Hunter region have confirmed the dry weather seems to have changed the normal seasonal and regular infection pattern, therefore local herds have missed their normal exposure to the virus two years running.

District Vet Dr Lyndell Stone said the virus creates infection risks for mature, pregnant, lactating and finished cattle.

“These animals may benefit this year, more than any other year, from vaccine protection during spring before mosquitos potentially arrive over summer carrying the virus,” said Dr Stone.

“Such regular virus appearance, in the past, means each year’s crop of weaners are generally infected whilst young and then have good lifelong protection against the inflammatory effects of the virus.”

Cattle on a Hunter property. Hunter Local Land Services is urging producers to get their herd vaccinated. Supplied.

Due to minimal distribution during the last couple of years, it could mean herds are more severely affected when the virus does arrive, as they have a higher proportion of non-immune stock.

In addition, when cattle are older, heavier, pregnant and lactating when first infected, it is generally more severe than when young cattle are affected.

“Cattle when first infected, develop strong long-term immunity against further infection,” said Dr Stone.

“When this situation has occurred in the past, producers have presumed that they are seeing a more severe variant of the virus, however, the virus is actually very stable and hasn’t changed over the years.”

When cattle are older, heavier, pregnant and lactating when first infected, it is generally more severe than when young cattle are affected. Supplied.

Hunter cattle producers are being advised to consider vaccinating their older and/or higher value stock towards the end of the year against a 2020 virus season.

Clinical signs to look out for suspected Three Day Sickness:

* Depression

* Lameness, muscle stiffness, shivering, twitching, droopy ears

* Drooling saliva, watery eyes, runny nose

* Recumbency

* Reduced water and food intake

* Abortion