Diseases and parasites of cattle in Vanuatu

A study of cattle diseases was carried out in Vanuatu from 1971 to 1981. Tuberculosis was discovered in 4 herds and eradication was completed by 1981. The number of farms with brucellosis reactors increased from 2 in 1976 to 7 in 1978 despite eradication measures. Antibodies to serovars Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, australis, sejroe and canicola were demonstrated by the microscopic agglutination test. Antibodies were demonstrated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis and bovine virus diarrhoea/mucosal disease complexes. Of the 18 parasites identified, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemonchus, sp, Oesophagostomum phlebotomum and Neoascaris vitulorum were the most prevalent. As brucelossis is the only serious disease present, Vanuatu is in a favourable situation with regard to cattle diseases.