Introduction

Where is the east coast region?

This region runs south from Cooktown, Qld to Melbourne, Vic. It covers several climatic regions and generally lies east of the Great Dividing Range, with much of the region receiving rainfall in excess of 1000 mm per year. The relative importance of worm types differs within the region due to differences in maximum and minimum temperatures.   

A map of the region is shown below.

What worms are covered in this program?

Roundworms

Northern areas (generally north of Sydney)

The most important roundworms in this region:

• Barber’s pole worm Haemonchus contortus
• Scour worms
  • Black scour worm Trichostrongylus colubriformis
  • Brown stomach worm Teladorsagia circumcincta (NSW)

Less important or only occasionally seen worms:

• Large bowel worm Oesophagostomum venulosum (NSW)

Southern areas (generally south of Sydney)

The most important roundworms in this region:

• Barber’s pole worm Haemonchus contortus
• Scour worms
  • Black scour worm Trichostrongylus colubriformis and T. vitrinus
  • Brown stomach worm Teladorsagia circumcincta
  • Thin-necked intestinal worm Nematodirus species (in young goats)

Less important or only occasionally seen worms:

• Small intestinal worm Cooperia species

Liver fluke

Liver fluke is an internal parasite that occurs throughout this region where there are colonies of the intermediate host snail (Austropeplea (Lymnaea) tomentosa and Pseudosuccinia (Lymnaea) columella in warmer areas). It can affect goats severely, sometimes causing deaths. The life cycle differs from the simple life cycle of roundworms, so control strategies are different.  Liver fluke should be considered if there are cases of anaemia or bottle jaw in goats that are not associated with barber’s pole worm.

This program relates to roundworms. To control liver fluke, see Liver fluke control.

Gastro-intestinal parasites of minor importance, such as stomach fluke and tapeworm, are not covered.