Liver fluke – farmers urged to remain vigilant

While there have been fewer overall cases of liver fluke disease in Scotland’s sheep and cattle so far this year, Scottish Agricultural College vets are warning farmers not to become complacent.

With several recent outbreaks in sheep, they are warning that any livestock potentially at risk should receive flukicide treatment and vaccination against Black Disease.

The SAC’s Dr George Mitchell said: “Outbreaks of acute liver fluke in sheep, leading to death, have recently been recorded in Ayrshire. This would indicate local conditions have been right for the development of the parasite within its host, the mud snail Galba truncatula. Therefore it is essential that sheep and cattle perceived to be at risk in these areas are treated. But farmers across Scotland should remain vigilant.”