SCOPS would like to draw sheep farmers' attention to the warning from the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) about increased early season tick activity. Because ticks were detected on livestock throughout the winter months and, due to the warmer weather through some of February, there may be increased tick activity earlier than expected this year. As this can lead to tick-borne diseases, APHA says this should be considered as a possibility when examining ill livestock. Visit the SCOPS tick advice page at www.scops.org.uk/external-parasites/ticks and read the APHA warning below.
| |
This message is from the Emerging & Endemic Disease Alert System(EEDAS)
Increased early season tick activity:
APHA and our Partner PM Providers have detected ticks on livestock throughout the winter months. The current warmer weather may contribute to increased tick activity earlier than expected and, can lead to tick borne diseases. These should therefore be considered as differentials when examining ill livestock.
Testing for tick-borne disease can be discussed with your local Veterinary Investigation Centre or Partner PM Provider, and information on tick-borne diseases can be found at :APHA Vet Gateway – APHA’s Centre of Expertise in Extensively Managed Livestock (defra.gov.uk).
SAVSNET (Small animal veterinary surveillance network) have a dashboard on tick activity in pets. It is based on actual sightings of ticks by veterinary professionals on animals and gives a good indication of the distribution of ticks. We encourage submission of ticks for identification to the Tick Surveillance Scheme.
|
|
