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65/15
17th April 2015
DEPARTMENT ISSUES PARASITIC DISEASE FORECAST - SPRING 2015
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine advises farmers in relation to the predicted
risk of infection in livestock based on the advice received from the Nematodirus Advisory Group.
Nematodirosis is a severe disease of 6-12 week old lambs, which become infected through
ingesting large numbers of infective larvae present on contaminated pasture. The life cycle of
the Nematodirus battus worm is unusual in that, typically, there is a mass hatching of larvae in
spring when the soil temperature increases after a period of cold weather.

Infection is

characterised by dehydration, profuse diarrhoea and weight loss. Mortality can be high in
untreated lambs. Nematodirus larvae invade the intestinal mucosa after ingestion and in some
cases death may occur before signs of diarrhoea are observed. Ewes will appear clinically
normal. This disease is best prevented by keeping the current years lambs off pasture that was
grazed by lambs last year.
Mean soil temperatures for March this year were slightly colder almost everywhere than their
long term average. The maximum Nematodirus larval count is expected by the start of April in
the south-west and spreading to the rest of the country by the middle of the month. Nationally
the weather conditions leading to maximum larval occurrence were similar to last year and in line
with normal conditions (normal conditions are defined as the average of weather conditions
between the years 1981 and 2010). Lambs may show clinical signs of infection two to three
weeks from these dates of peak hatching.
In the south and west, lambs should be dosed with a suitable anthelmintic from mid to late April,
while those lambs in the rest of the country should be dosed from late April to early to mid-May
depending on farm location and individual flock factors. This will decrease the likelihood of
clinical disease later and reduce pasture contamination for the next year. Early lambing flocks
where lambs are 56 weeks old and already grazing are particularly vulnerable; as are enterprises

with higher stocking rates where lambs are grazing pastures grazed by last years lambs. Due to a
greater variability in the dates of peak risk this year, in addition to the fact that conditions will
vary from farm to farm, it is important that veterinary advice should be sought in the event of
clinical cases or for a flock control program comprising specific measures for any intensive sheep
flock. It is recommended that any lambs that die of unknown causes are submitted to a regional
veterinary laboratory for post-mortem examination as Nematodirus battus can cause death
before clinical signs are apparent.
Benzimidazoles (white drench) and levamisole (yellow drenches) are effective against larval and
adult stages of Nematodirus battus. Currently there are no drenches with effective residual
activity against Nematodirus which means that as the lamb continues to graze it can become reinfected with larvae again. Please comply with advice re correct use of any medicines on the
manufacturers data sheet. There is further information about labelling of anthelminthics to
distinguish to which group each labelled product belongs on the Health Protection Regulatory
Authoritys website , at http://www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/publications-forms/guidancedocuments/aut-g0121-guide-to-display-of-chemical-group-symbols-on-product-literature-ofsheep-anthelmintics-v3.pdf?sfvrsn=15
Coccidiosis in lambs: It is also important that farmers are aware that other parasites cause
diarrhoea in young lambs and require different control measures and medication. Nematodirus
can be wrongly assumed to be the cause of severe diarrhoea in lambs when in fact the cause is a
coccidial infection. Rotation of pasture and frequent movement of feeding troughs and watering
points to drier areas will help prevent coccidiosis in young lambs as localised poaching creates
moist conditions suitable for the spread of this parasite. Raising feeding troughs will also help
reduce the contamination of feed with faeces.
It is advisable to consult a private veterinary practitioner for an accurate diagnosis and advice on
appropriate medication if lambs with severe diarrhoea and straining are observed. Both
nematodirosis and coccidiosis can occur at the same time in the same lambs, so treatment may
need to be targeted at both pathogens.
Note for editors:
This press release is prepared in conjunction with the Nematodirus Advisory Group. The group comprises
representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Teagasc; Met Eireann; University College
Dublin; Animal Health Ireland; private veterinary practice and the pharmaceutical industry.

ENDS