MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

False tick or sheep ked outbreak in Magallanes flock

Magallanes region flock in the extreme south of Chile is suffering an outbreak of melophagus ovinus, more commonly known as sheep's ked, with an estimated 10% of farms under strict sanitary control.

According to Chile's agriculture and animal health authorities, SAG, a strict campaign for the control, detection and eradication of the blood sucking parasite also known as the "false tick" has been activated. SAG website defines the melophagus ovinusas "a specific parasite in sheep widely spread throughout the world. Also known as "false tick", the adult feeds on blood and can live up to 6 to 7 months. In that period it produces between 10 and 15 larvae which completely develop in a period of 22 to 40 days. Each specimen measures 4 to 6 millimeters". However according to La Prensa Austral from Punta Arenas some farmers are not pleased with SAG prevention measures because they believe them to be too far reaching and excessive. SAG regional director Carlos Rowland is quoted saying that prevention decisions regarding farming "are not new in Magallanes", and also admitted that legislation on the matter had been reviewed earlier in the year to achieve a greater overall effective sanitary control. Apparently some farmers have taken their cases to court. "During all these years we've seen temporarily closures of farms which have been lifted once all the necessary measures and improvements have been made", said Rowland. "In the same way that some farms are banned when the parasite is detected, and a fine imposed, we also help in implementing the necessary sanitary measures to ensure a quick recovery of the farm and its flock", he added. However the farmer is not fined if he declares the outbreak follows procedures and complies with a timetable to accomplish the eradication. "The ban on a farm stands as long as there are risks of spreading the parasite or contagion. As long as farmers comply with procedure and dip sheep, which represents marginal costs, they can sell their stock. For the movement of sheep in and out of the farm they still need SAP sanitary authorization". Rowland insisted that controls will remain and so will field tests to determine the technical efficiency of the different products that can be used by farmers to eliminate melophagus ovinus.