Seasonal transmission of Fasciola hepatica in north central Florida (U.S.A.).
To assess seasonal transmission of Fasciola hepatica 37 groups of fluke-free tracer sheep, one group of four sheep each month in succession, grazed an infected pasture in north central Florida (U.S.A.) from June 1984 to June 1987. At the end of each month, tracers were moved to a fluke-free barn for 2 months, then necropsied and flukes counted. Fluke transmission mostly occurred during the first half of the year, with peak transmission from February to April. No transmission occurred during the warm summer months, having ceased in either May or June of each year to begin again in late autumn or early winter (November-January).
Boyce
W M
WM
Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0633.
Courtney
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000502:physiology*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000635:transmission*