Cattle Disease Controls for Theileria Needed

AUSTRALIA - A cattle disease spread by the theileria parasite could potentially cost the Australian cattle industry millions of dollars.

3 May 2012

1 minute read

Oceania

The theileria parasite is transmitted by ticks and causes anaemia.

The parasite is common in New South Wales and Queensland and is now found in Victoria.

Theileria, a blood borne disease, has killed a number of cattle in the Kiewa Valley, south of Wodonga.

At the moment it is unknown as to how many farms are affected with the disease. The district veterinary officer with the Department of Primary Industry in Wangaratta, John Ryan, told ABC Rural, that it would be difficult to effectively quarantine properties to stop the disease spreading.

At the moment there doesn't appear to be an effective control method for the disease. TheCattleSite has contacted the Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales Department of Primary Industries to find out more details.