Sheep Worm (Haemonchus) Moving North

In mid March 2006, the SAC Veterinary Services Disease Surveillance Centre in Thurso

diagnosed parasitism due to Haemonchus contortus (barbers pole worm) in a pedigree

ram from a farm in Orkney. This is the first time this parasite has been found outwith

the mainland of the UK and is the most northerly location for its identification to date.

This parasite is more comfortable in warm areas of the world such as South Africa but

has been increasingly found in Scotland over the past ten years.

Sandy Clark, the Veterinary Centre Manager at Thurso said "A combination of a warmer

and wetter climate throughout the year in this part of Scotland where the weather is

heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream may be responsible. The parasite was probably

introduced to Orkney with sheep from the south".