Flies and Disease
John H. Kirk
Veterinary Medicine Extension, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California
Davis, VMTRC, Tulare
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu
As we approach the warmer seasons of the year it is well to think about controlling flies on dairies, as they are known to carry both animal and human diseases. With the
approach of warmer weather, the flies begin to increase in numbers rapidly as their
generation time within manure and decaying feeds becomes increasingly shorter. Here
are some reasons to prepare for fly season.
Mastitis
Flies are known to carry Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria in their mouthparts and on their feet. The common housefly, which is not a biting fly, sponges up moist materials with its mouthparts as it feeds. The “fly specks” seen on walls and corral fences are actually small amounts of vomit and fecal matter left behind by the flies. Often these “specks” contain bacteria that will also be deposited at the next place the fly lands to feed or rest. Flies particularly like decaying matter whether animal or plant so they feed on rotting placentas or manure pats. Cows that leak milk in between milking periods are frequent targets for housefly feeding. And it just happens that cows that leak milk are more likely to have mastitis than other cows. So more often than not, the milk that the housefly sponges up contains mastitis-causing bacteria.The biting flies are particularly troublesome for cows. They often bite on the teats and teat ends of cows where the skin is thin. These flies have been shown to be able to cause enough irritation and damage on the teat ends to result in wounds and scab formations.Staphylococcus bacteria such as Staph. aureus readily grow in these bite injuries and around the scabs. Even in heifers before they calves, mastitis can occur from the bite injuries that become infected with bacteria. As with any wound on the teat, mastitis is almost always sure to happen. These cases of Staph. aureus mastitis often become chronic resulting in decreased milk quality and production or perhaps early marketing.
PinkeyeThe Moraxella bacteria that cause pinkeye in calves are readily available in the tears and discharge from calves for flies to feed on. When fly populations are high, pinkeye infections rapidly spread from calf to calf as the flies move from one calf to another.Houseflies are particular adept at moving bacteria as they feed from one moist area to another. Face flies will also increase the spread of pinkeye. While most of the pinkeye lesions will heal slowly over 45-60 days leaving only a white scar, however, in about 1% of the cases the eye will rupture and eyesight will be lost. In addition, expensive antibiotic treatment is required in most cases of pinkeye.
So above diseases are not our main point at all!.I just wanted to show you that a research of a scientist, let us know that there are bacterias in mouthparts and the feet of the flies !.Killing them directly on our tables or kitchen tables is not a proper way of get riding them !.Its just the final solution!.
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