Facial Eczema

This horrible disease can strike when environmental conditions are such that the fungal spores of Pithomyces chartarum multiply in pastures in large numbers.

The toxin these spores contain, sporodesmin, can cause significant toxic damage to the liver and result in severe disease or death in grazing ruminants. At EVT we monitor several pasture sites throughout our district over the warmer months to predict when spore numbers are rising so that preventative measures can be best employed.