Facial Eczema Spore Counts Continue To Rise

Filed Under Eczema Treatment, Eczema On The Face | Leave a Comment

It appears that facial eczema spore counts continue to rise in New Zealand, due to the warm damp conditions. Last week a Frankley Rd count reached 490,000. New Plymouth Vet Group vet Rob Mills says he would classify any count over 150,000 to 200,000 as toxic and extreme.

Farmers are being urgred to ensure that they have systems in place for stock at high risk areas. They should also act before facial eczema symptoms appear. It is also said that by the time 5% of a herd is detected with obvious skin damage, it will be that 70% of the entire group are already down with liver damage.

To help track weekly spore count for facial eczema, farmers can now turn to the sites to check www.asurequality.co.nz , www.meatandwoolnz and www.rd1.com .

This news adds on to the pile of bad news about possible toxicities in our food. I also do not want to think about what will happen to the goats or cows found with facial eczema. It appears that there is no cure. No one will dare eat a sick animal anyway. Furthermore, food prices in general have gone up tremendously here in Singapore.

Will the day ever come when food is safe for consumption and at reasonable prices? Borrowing ideas from “The Power Of Intent” book by Wayne W Dyer, this is a wish that perhaps I should spend more time focusing my thoughts on.

Feb

18

Risk Of A Facial Eczema Epidemic?

Filed Under Eczema Treatment, Eczema On The Face | 1 Comment

Goat Gazing

I never knew that animals can have eczema too. However, according to a recent news, it is possible and in fact, a major concern in New Zealand. Efforts are being made to encourage farmers to seek assistance to deal with this problem, if suspected.

Facial eczema (FE) is caused by the a fungus known as Pithomyces chartarum which grows in dead grass litter that is always present in pasture. It affects sheep, goats, deer and cows. The fungus grows best when humidity is high and temperatures at ground level are above 12-15 degrees C for a few days. These conditions are most likely to occur during February to April.

Once ingested, the spores cause liver damage. Waste that are normally removed from the body is not excreted. Instead, it flows back to the bloodstream, causing the animal to become sensitive to light and to develop the classical symptoms of facial eczema. In the most severe case, the animal may die or suffer lifelong depressions in productivity.

Usually, by the time facial eczema is detected, it will be too late to implement any effective control measures. Hence, prevention measures are best applied before the cattle graze toxic pasture. Tens and thousands of dollars can be affected, when cattle falls sick and/or die.

I tried to source for a picture of a goat or a cow with FE but could not find one. The picture above is one of a normal but old goat. Perhaps, no one will want to publish such a picture over the web if at all. A picture says a thousand words - it may just cause increased panic and a worldwide ban???? Without seeing one, I can only imagine how miserable the animal must feel with FE. Imagine a goat that is scratching itself all day on the face!

I hope our health authorities are aware about the risk and dangers of FE. A check in the supermarket does reveal that we do import beef from New Zealand. It will be most horrifying to be feeding ourselves with meat or milk that comes from a sick animal. As an eczema sufferer, I also would not relish the thought of eating a fellow eczema sufferer (even if it is an animal). Urgghh!!

It has been difficult but I have been encouraging my kids and family to eat less meat and go more vegetarian. My kids usually turn their noses up at any greens on their plates. Almost everyday, I spent quite a bit of time pleading with them to eat their veggies. Well, I will have to continue to persevere. Eating less meat may seem the way to go if we continue to hear of bird flu, facial eczema on cattle, or mercury found in fishes.

Source of News: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4404212a6003.html

— Next Page →