WorkSafe warning on slide pulsators
WorkSafe is recommending the dairy industry reassess its use of slide pulsators, following a recent death in a Waikato milking shed.
After a spike in cases of leptospirosis in Northland, farmers are being urged to take care around animals and to vaccinate their livestock.
Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that can cause flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, muscle pains, and fevers – in severe cases, it causes bleeding from the lungs, meningitis or kidney failure.
WorkSafe has been advised by the Medical Officer of Health of the increase in leptospirosis notifications in Northland. Seven cases have been confirmed so far this year with another one under investigation as a suspected infection. No cases were reported last year.
Al McCone, WorkSafe agriculture programme manager, says farmers have a duty of care to protect their own health and that of any farm workers by eliminating or reducing any health risk.
"Leptospirosis is a particular risk to people working in close contact with animals or animal products, especially in wet environments," says McCone.
"Farmers should vaccinate their animals, control rodents, practise good personal hygiene, use protective equipment, and get help early if they feel unwell. As initial symptoms are very similar to flu, if you do feel unwell and go to see your health professional, it will pay to check for leptospirosis."
A robust animal vaccination programme is critical to breaking the cycle of infection, which includes understanding farm management risk factors, says McCone. The disease is transmitted in water and through the urine of cattle, pigs, deer and sheep, as well as rats, mice, possums and hedgehogs.
Infection can occur through breaks in the skin or through mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Dogs may carry leptospirosis or get sick with it and they may then spread the infection to humans. Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinations for your animals.
"You don't have to come into direct contact with urine or infected tissue of an infected animal," says McCone. "Even a splash or fine spray of urine, or indirect contact with urine-contaminated water, such as water used to clean down a cowshed or stockyard, can spread the disease."
Contaminated rivers and lakes may also be a source of infection. "The use of urine-contaminated animal manure when gardening is another potential source. In New Zealand farming systems, flood water, and water-logged paddocks and waterways, are a particular risk," says McCone.
Fonterra shareholders are concerned with a further decline in the co-op’s share of milk collected in New Zealand.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.
Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
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