Potential for challenges regarding liver fluke this winter

There is considered to be a low risk of liver fluke (parasites in the liver) for the majority of the UK this winter, livestock producers have been cautioned to be aware of the potential and increasing challenges associated with this threat.

Because of this unpredictability, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) believe diagnostic testing is essential to ensure animals are not treated prematurely, or excessively.

John Graham from Brown of Liverpool University expressed that “It is really important to repeat testing until the risk period is over. A negative test does not mean you can sit back and relax. Plan to repeat tests in three to four weeks’ time to make sure you do not get caught out. Sheep are most likely to be seriously affected by acute liver fluke disease in the autumn and early winter, which means they are the priority for testing and also the best indicator of the presence of liver fluke on the farm.”

In association with Elanco Animal Health, Matt Colston said that the recent change in weather, “means we could see an increase in infection rates in the coming weeks. The mild weather has also meant that cattle have tended to stay out longer, potentially exposing them to more risk.”

Rebecca Mearns, president of the Sheep Veterinary Society, said “many samples received have tested negative as the liver fluke stages in the cattle and sheep are not yet mature enough to be detected by these tests. I would also urge livestock farmers to take note of feedback on liver rejections from the abattoir and always investigate any deaths with a post-mortem examination to check for evidence of fluke in the liver.”

Michele Macrelli of APHA said that “There are a number of tests and means of monitoring liver fluke available to farmers. The most appropriate one to use varies according to the season, reflecting the maturity of the liver fluke at different times of year.”