The prevalence of lice (Bovicola ovis) infested sheep flocks in Western Australia (1987-1993)

• Published in: Australian veterinary journal Vol. 71; no. 3; p. 71
• Main Authors: Morcombe, P W, Thomson, N D, Buckman, P G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-03-1994
• Subjects: Animals; Insecticides - therapeutic use; Lice Infestations - epidemiology; Lice Infestations - prevention & control; Lice Infestations - veterinary; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - epidemiology; Sheep Diseases - prevention & control; Western Australia - epidemiology; Wool - economics; Wool - parasitology; Western Australia
• ISSN: 0005-0423
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1994.tb03330.x

The proportion of wool bale brands with a positive test for sheep lice in baled wool decreased from 29.5% in 1987/88 to 23.2% in 1990/91 before increasing to 38.2% in 1992/93. Changes in the proportion of wool bale brands with a positive test for lice were highly correlated with changes in the Wool Market Price Indicator. The increase in the proportion of positive lice tests since 1990/91 was associated with an increase in failures to eradicate lice from flocks. These failures were partly a consequence of the reduced use of lousicidal treatments, the development of resistance to synthetic pyrethroid chemicals and an increase in the transmission of lice between flocks.