HYDATIDS DISEASE

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 13, 21 March 1938, Page 4

HYDATIDS DISEASE

INFECTION" - " COMPULSORY DRENCHIM :■ .V • • ’ ;« AN EXCELLENT MOVE ' ■_ «V “The incidence of hydatis in New Zealand is alarmingly high,” declared Mr W. S. Allen, M.Agr:Sc., of Christ- > church, in an interview with a Gisborne Times representative last week. Although it was said that it was especially bad in the, South Island, he thought this belief, was based on the fact that most of the work upon the disease had been done in the south. Mr Allen stressed the fact, ' however, that it- was prevalent - throughout the Dominion.

Speaking of the Government legislation making it compulsory to drench all dogs regularly as from January 1, 1938, lie described it as an excellent move, emphasising the fact that it was the human element that was so important. The most common method or infection was for the eggs to he pass- <> ed out of the dog’s body, and for children to pick up the, disease from the saliva of the animal. In the Argentine, where the inci- < " r ’ deuce of hydatis ’ had been even greater than it was in New Zealand, it had- been completely wiped out by compulsory dosing. It was hoped that the same, result would be achieved in this Dominion as a result of the Government’s action, but it could not be done unless every farmer cooperated to the full. Farmers were ■ told' to boil the offal but if one mail carried this out and bis neighbour ignored the instruction tlie precautions could not be effective. The method of attacking the disease was by systematic drenching every three months with an approved solution of racloline ■ hyro-hromide. There were two main forms, one one-fiftli of an inch long and the other, about two feet long. One of the worms, in which liytatid cysts existed had as a host the dog flea. It would be realised, therefore, that the elimination of flea,s would' lie a help in reducing the incidence of hydatis.