Authorities in Uruguay warn of a “highly toxic” disease affecting livestock

The Uruguayan Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) on Monday warned of the presence in the country of the bocopa disease that affects livestock due to the ingestion of the Ramaria (Clavaria) flavo-brunnescens mushroom, known as the “eucalyptus fungus”, whose growth is massive during the southern autumn.

This was detailed in a statement from this portfolio, in which it was reported on the occurrence of cases of poisoning in livestock and in which it was also explained that veterinarians from the Animal Health Division of the General Directorate of Livestock Services are “monitoring and visiting” farmers' farms.

“The disease is of high morbidity and mortality and mainly affects cattle and sheep, but it can also occur in domestic pigs, wild boars and horses,” says the text.

Among the main conditions that animals suffer are weight loss and excess salivation due to extensive ulcerations, as well as detachment of the epithelium of the tongue.

They also suffer from claudication due to the detachment of the hooves or hooves, hair loss — especially from the tail — and even the detachment and fall of the horns in horned animals.

According to the MGAP, lethality reaches 38% in cattle and 49% in sheep.

The organization also highlighted that bocopa is an “emerging disease” in Uruguay, given that the number of outbreaks increases every year in parallel with the growth of afforestation and “silvopastoral systems”.

In turn, he pointed out that the growth of the fungus “is massive” in autumn, especially after dry summers, so a higher number of cases are expected during April, May and June, which are the months of highest incidence and mortality.

“The disease is important for epidemiological surveillance in the country because it can be confused with foot-and-mouth disease or even Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), due to the nervous condition, so it is recommended to seek professional veterinary assistance and report cases to the Departmental Animal Health Services”, concludes the statement.

Bocopa occurs every autumn throughout the country, since it was first described by MGAP technicians in 1957.

(With information from EFE)

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