SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 24, 12 February 1937, Page 13

SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS

"Three-day sickness," or ephemeral fever, as it is termed, has now been declared at notiflable disease unfler the Stock Diseases Act ia Augtralia. Epliemeral fever has beeu kuown in Australia for less than a year, having made its first appearance in Queenslaud sorae eight or nine months ago. Beginning in the Gulf Territory the disease spread rapidly through Queensland, and has since made its way into northern New Bouth Wales. Although these outbreaks have not been accompanied by a very high percentage of deaths, tho disease is oue that is causing serious economic loss to dairy farmers. The disease is believed to exist chiefly in sub-tropical countries. The first symp? toms appear within two to five days ©f infection, and the disease normally occurs in three stages. In the first stage, which lasts for about 24 hours, fever is the prominent symptom. This Is tollowed by a stage lasting one or two days, in which the animal shows signs of museular stiffness and lameness. The third stage is that of recovery during v/hich the animal shows signs of improvement, although still exhibitjng symptoms of stiffness. Ephemeral i'ever Jias beeu Icnown to occur chiefly in South A^rikva andIndia. The cause is unknowu, but it is suspeeted as being due to a virus which is transmitted by a biting inseet.