Sheep Measles (cysticercus ovis) are small cysts found in the muscle tissue of infected sheep (and goats) and are a significant financial threat to farmers. 

According to Ovis Management Ltd, a non-profit organisation promoting control of Sheep Measles, cyst identification means downgrading or condemning lamb or sheep carcasses.

A statement from the organisation explained Sheep Measles is caused by Taenia ovis (tapeworm) in dogs. 

Dogs become infected by eating raw or untreated meat or offal infected with live cysts, which are very infectious and often difficult to see.

The best way to avoid spreading Sheep Measles is by not taking your dog onto farmland, or worming your dogs. 

Dog faeces spread Taenia ovis (tapeworm) which causes cysticercus ovis (Sheep Measles) in sheep. Image courtesy Ovis Management Ltd.

“Infection can be avoided by ensuring dogs do not have access to untreated sheep or goat meat, such as meat scraps, offal, or carcasses,” the statement said. 

“Regular dog treatment is the most reliable and the most simple (and probably the cheapest) measure to implement. 

Matangi Station’s John Sanders said they “don’t want sheep measles on Matangi”. 

The station graciously allows locals to use the land close to Alexandra for recreation purposes as long as the land, stock and the owners’ rules are respected. 

“We have been using a sheep measles program for years, with the vets, and continue to do so,” John said.

“I tell people they can walk their dogs, if vaccinated, however some people just ignore us. 

“One of our casual workers accosted someone the other day as their dogs were going everywhere.”

John said the person and their dogs were “politely” told to leave.

“During lockdown we found two people out on Matangi. When I asked what they were doing they said they had been walking their dogs. 

“When I mentioned stock and need for vaccinations I was called a liar as there was no stock around. They then dropped their clutch and drove off. 

“This month we have stock down the front. People keep ringing us to say we have stock out (loose) - one of the boys told them it’s our property and we can have stock there. We can’t win.”

Matangi is closed to everyone, including dogs, from the October 1 to November 30, every year, due to calving and lambing, but John said “obviously, dogs can’t read”.

“Dog treatments and dosing should be the basis of any on-farm control programme,” the Ovis Management statement said.  

“Sheep Measles poses no risk to human health but it does cause blemishes in sheep meat which are undesirable for consumers both at home, and most certainly for the export market.

“Dosing for Sheep Measles is with a very reasonably priced Praziquantel Drug such as Droncit or Wormicide. 

“Alternatively an All Wormer will also do the trick, and whilst more expensive, it will cover other parasites.”

The risk to farms is infected dogs pass many thousands of (T.ovis) eggs in their faeces onto the pasture.

Sheep and goats then eat these eggs (which may survive for some months) through their grazing of grass and plants.

Eggs can also become distributed over large areas by wind and by flies.

“On farm dogs pose the biggest risk, but infection also results from visiting farm dogs, neighbours dogs and visiting town dogs.

“Farmers are financially disadvantaged if stray dogs get onto their farms and pass this on. 

“So please do your bit to support them, and protect their livelihood, but also the reputation of New Zealand.”

All dog owners, both farmers and any other dog owners going on or near a farm, can work together to minimise the problem of Sheep Measles. Image courtesy Ovis Management Ltd.

DOG OWNERS

Heading on or across a farm?

Just remember the basic rules, so the farmer’s livelihood is not compromised.

1. Always ask the Farmer before going onto their land.
2. All dogs need to be dosed for Sheep Measles* at least 48 hours prior (or within a month) of going onto the property. 
3. Take a Certificate from your Vet – not compulsory but it’s a good idea – it may be the difference between land access or not.
4. “Scoop your Poop!”– as always, make sure you have enough bags for the job.

As a dog owner you can play a key role in reducing the spread of sheep measles by:

1. Freezing or cooking all sheep or goat meat before feeding to dogs.

• Freeze all sheep or goat meat at -10°C or colder for 10 days before feeding to dogs.
• Cook meat by heating to a core temperature of 72°C or greater.
• Do not feed untreated scraps of meat to dogs.

2. Controlling dogs.

• Dogs should be under control at all times when not under supervision.
• Do not let your dogs go onto or enter sheep pasture without permission from the landowner.

3. Treating dogs to remove infection.

• Dogs should be dosed to remove any infection on a regular basis.
• Monthly dosing provides the best control option.
• Any new dogs should be dosed 48 hours before going on or near sheep pasture.

You can find out more about Sheep Measles by clicking here.

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