Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and Massey University are joining forces to help raise awareness and funds to combat leptospirosis.
“Leptospirosis is a nasty flu-like illness which is unfortunately on the rise again in floodaffected regions as it can be spread through contaminated water,” RWNZ national president Gill Naylor says.
“We have a proud history over the past 50 years in raising awareness and much needed funds to better control the disease.
By making leptospirosis our national project until June 2025 we can again mobilise our members across the country.
“This is especially important as New Zealand has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in countries with temperate climates in the world.”
Massey University Professor of Veterinary Public Health Jackie Benschop says last year there were 170 cases notified, nearly all in people living rurally.
“This is the tip of the iceberg as there are many cases missed because lepto can look like Covid or the flu and there are issues with getting a diagnosis.
“Our data shows that 70 per cent of people suspected of having leptospirosis are not tested for it.
“Protecting yourself against lepto need not be too difficult and mimics good farm management like vaccinating stock, adopting good hygiene practices, wearing PPE, controlling effluent, waterways and rodents and training your staff and visitors.
“Above all, if you are feeling unwell, seek help early. Tell your doctor lepto may be the cause and ask to be tested.”
Benschop says any funds raised as part of the national project will help further their research with the aim of better understanding leptospirosis in humans, animals and the environment to reduce the burden of the disease.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection of humans and animals.
Farmers, their families, meat workers, vets, stock agents and rural transport truck drivers are among those most exposed to the bacteria in New Zealand, which is shed in the urine of infected animals, such as deer, pigs, cattle, sheep and dogs, as well as wild mammals (rats, mice, possums, hedgehogs) and passed on to humans through cuts in the skin or through the membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Overseas, flooding and poverty are the most common exposures.
In infected humans, leptospirosis presents as a serious flu-like illness, which if not treated promptly can lead to long-term health effects and in rare cases – death.
Massey University reports that lepto leads to hospital admissions in 70% of cases, with half of patients experiencing longer term illness.
Symptoms in Humans and Cows
Symptoms can feel like a bad case of the flu and can include:
Symptoms of severe illness can include kidney and liver damage. Some people may be unable to return to work for months and in severe cases, unable to return at all due to symptoms of chronic fatigue. The disease can keep coming back. There is also overseas research indicating the disease may cause miscarriages in pregnant women and a cautious approach is recommended.
Livestock tend to be infected with lepto strains that are well adapted to them, so stock appear unaffected yet still shed the bug in their urine. When impacted by poor nutrition, floods or other stressors, stock may show reduced production and reproduction.
However, when infected with a different strain and if that is combined with severe stress then severe outbreaks of the disease can occur with death in young stock and abortion storms.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.