Ganskweek (Lasiospermum bipinnatum) poisoning in cattle

An outbreak of ganskweek poisoning in a herd of 93 cattle on a farm in the Graaff-Reinet district of the Cape Province is described. Five animals died and at least 16 others were affected. Clinical signs included nervous symptoms (intractability, wildness, aggressiveness), icterus, melaena, abdominal pain and photosensitisation. The most prominent lesions present in the one animal autopsied were a severe hepatopathy and haemorrhagic tendencies.