ANIMAL health experts want livestock operators to be aware of the differences between the deceptively similar flu-like Sporadic Bovine Encephalomyelitis (SBE) and Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF).
The two bovine illnesses both have a history in the North West, however, there is an outbreak of BEF (or three-day sickness) in the region at the moment, the result of the Christmas flooding.
Livestock afflicted with BEF will often recover with merely a few days' rest, whereas SBE will cause similar flu-like symptoms, but can lead to dramatic weight loss which may take a beast months to recover from, if untreated.
While BEF is a viral and (anecdotally) mosquito-borne disease which has been recorded across the North West since the Christmas floods, SBE is caused by the simple bacteria Chlamydia.
Coonamble Veterinary Surgery principal, Scott Parry, said since about the third week of January, he'd seen many cases of BEF.
"BEF is usually a virus that strikes heavily conditioned animals (more than two years old) hardest, but this year the cases seem to be more focused on large volumes of livestock between one and three years of age," he said.
"Lighter animals are recovering well on their own with good rest and without actually requiring treatment, which is more viable, both economically and logistically for the operator."
Mr Parry said owners of valuable heavier, older stud stock, would be the cases more likely to genuinely benefit from more intensive treatment with antibiotics and anti inflammatories.
"Producers need to bear in mind the possibility new cases of BEF (and possibly SBE) will continue to occur in the next four to six weeks, due to the ongoing favourable conditions for disease spread, and, they should adjust their management program accordingly," he said.
Treatment options for three-day sickness included anti-inflammatories, broad spectrum antibiotics, plus possible calcium supplements, which Mr Parry said would cost between $30 to $60 a head.
Narrabri's Livestock Health and Pest Authority veterinarian, Shaun Slattery, said SBE was a rarer and more sporadic virus.
Outbreaks had been recorded in soil typse such as the base of the Nandewar Ranges, Maules Creek, Turrawan, or at the edges of the Pilliga scrub country.
It is also occured in parts of the Coonamble area, particularly south and east of town in the Gulargambone and Baradine districts.
"SBE will mimic the symptoms and signs of three-day sickness fairly closely, but owners need to be very careful not to assume it's the same, as this bacteria can create massive loss of condition in livestock."
SBE was rare in animals older than 18 months and a blood test was required to confirm it, he said.
Email a friend