Changes

Fasciolosis is the disease caused by the liver fluke ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]''. The adult fluke primarily parasitises the bile ducts of ruminants, but may occasionally be found in horses. ''Lymnaea truncatula'', a mud snail, acts as the intermediate host for ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]'', and transmission of disease is dependent on the presence of appropriate snail habitats.  

 

Fasciolosis is a condition of ruminants which causes significant economic losses through death, subclinical and clinical disease. The causative organism is the trematode ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]'' which primarily parasitises the bile ducts of sheep and cattle but may occasionally be found in the horse. ''Lymnaea truncatula'', a mud snail, is the intermediate host of ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]'', and transmission of disease is dependent on the presence of appropriate snail habitats. These habitats are more plentiful in areas of high rainfall, such as the western British Isles. However, infected animals may be found outwith these areas due to the transportation of livestock. The association of fasciolosis with wetter habitats lends a seasonal nature to disease outbreaks, and can help predict the severity of these.

 

 

 

=== Geographical distribution of disease ===

=== Geographical distribution of disease ===

Transmission  is dependent on the snail, and therefore associated with snail  habitats. These are more plentiful in high rainfall areas such as found  on the western side of the British Isles, or alongside drainage canals  in low-lying areas such as the Romney Marsh (or the Netherlands). It is  important to remember that sheep and cattle are often bred in Ireland or  western Britain and transported to the east of the country for  fattening. Infected animals may therefore be found in areas where no  transmission occurs

Transmission  is dependent on the snail, and therefore associated with snail  habitats.  

=== Weather patterns and disease risk ===

=== Weather patterns and disease risk ===

***The  fibroplastic potential of the liver  

***The  fibroplastic potential of the liver  

***The effectiveness of the  protective immune responses (which are ineffective in sheep)

***The effectiveness of the  protective immune responses (which are ineffective in sheep)

**Therefore,  establishment rate is

**Therefore,  establishment rate is sheep>cattle>pig

'''sheep>cattle>pig'''

 

 

A similar but slightly larger species,  ''F. gigantica'', occurs in  wetter tropical regions.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==