Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF) also known as 'three day sickness' is currently circulating in mosquitos and is affecting cattle in the Hunter Local Land Services area. The virus was confirmed on the Mid Coast in late March and we expect to see cases in the Hunter for the next few months.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hunter Local Land Services is encouraging all cattle producers to step up monitoring of their herd to identify affected cattle and be prepared to treat and nurse animals.
District Vet Dr Lyndell Stone said while three day sickness is relatively common on the coast, frequently occurring in late summer or autumn, we have had very little virus transmission during the previous two-three years of drought.
"Producers should be prepared that any cattle born on or introduced to the coast particularly after 2017 (last period of BEF transmission) could be affected by three day sickness until mosquitos disappear with cold weather," said Dr Stone.
"Cattle older than about four years, that were born on the coast, most likely have been infected before and probably have good immunity.
"Daily monitoring of your herd is particularly important during this time, to ensure you identify any affected cattle and provide timely and suitable treatment and/or nursing care - for the most part, BEF is a mild transient illness hence the name 'three day sickness'."
BEF causes a short but significant fever, drooling, shivering, a discharge from eyes and nose, lameness and muscular soreness. Many animals become recumbent for a few days with heavy animals such as bulls and big cows most severely affected. A transient infertility in bulls can occur and a small proportion of pregnant cows can abort, presumably from the high fever.
"Early veterinary treatment can mediate these impacts and prevent animals from becoming recumbent," said Dr Stone.
"Good nursing care can be the difference between affected cattle recovering in the normal three-day window or succumbing to secondary health effects from dehydration, particularly in hot weather, or sustained recumbency."
Shade affected animals from the hot sun and inspect cattle daily particularly if three-four years of age or younger or have been introduced to the region after the summer of 2017.
Seek advice from your private vet if you are unsure if your cattle are suffering from three day sickness or another illness mimicking the signs of three day sickness
