Sheep Measles

Dog owners play an important role in helping to prevent the spread of sheep measles in the Clutha District.

Sheep measles is the common name given to lesions in sheep and goats caused by a tapeworm parasite (Cysticercus ovis).

Sheep measles do not infect humans, but they can have a significant impact for farmers if sheep are affected because the blemishes it can cause in sheep meat may result in downgrading, or in extreme cases condemning, of sheep or lamb carcasses.

Sheep measles are spread from dogs to sheep. Dogs eat infected sheep meat and produce tapeworm in their intestine. There are no outward signs that a dog is infected, but when it poos on or near farmland, this contains eggs which can move onto pasture and be eaten by sheep.

Sheep measles are preventable. Dog owners can help by:

• Picking up dog poo and disposing of it properly.
• Dosing dogs with a praziquantel drug at least 48 hours or within one month prior to being on farmland.

For more information go to www.sheepmeasles.co.nz