Authors : Hong Yin , Miling Ma , Gailing Yuan , Shouyun Huang , Zhijie Liu , Jianxun Luo and Guiquan Guan
Abstract: Hypodermosis is a very important disease affecting cattle, yaks and dairy cattle in China. Five species of hypodermosis have been recognized in livestock: H. bovis, H. lineatum, H. sinense, H. qinghaiensis, H. diana. Of these five species, the most common ones are H. bovis and H. lineatum. Both of these two species and H. sinense parasitise cattle, yak and dairy cattle. Deer is the natural host of H. diana. The host of H. qinghaiensis remains unknown. Bovine hypodermosis is widely distributed in China and the endemic areas covers 15 provinces. In some province, the average infestation rate is 80% and the infection rate of calves at age of 1-2 years old is higher than adult, and reaches 90-100%. The epidemiology of the disease is still poorly understood in some provinces. The national economic loss induced by hypodermosis is largely unknown, though some data on reduction of milk, meat and damage of skins are available. Losses caused by the migrating larvae themselves are responsible for the greater part of the cost of disease. In northern China, the annual economic loss on skins is estimated to be about 15,000,000 USD. Diagnosis of Hypoderma sp infection in live cattle relies on either observation of clinical signs or the palpation of second and third stage larvae on back of infected animals during the spring and summer months, and serological diagnostic tool is not available. There is no national eradication program in China. In most cases, the control of hypodermosis was based on the chemotherapy administrated by farmers themselves. The priority and suggestion on control of hypodermosis is also presented.
Hong Yin , Miling Ma , Gailing Yuan , Shouyun Huang , Zhijie Liu , Jianxun Luo and Guiquan Guan , 2003. Hypodermosis in China. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 2: 179-183.