EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF CEREBROSPINAL ELAPHOSTRONGYLOSIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN NORTHERN NORWAY

Pathology records from the State Veterinary Laboratory for Northern No rway were used to examine the association between the occurrence of ce rebrospinal elaphostrongylosis (CSE) in small ruminants and summer tem perature and rainfall in northern Norway. From 1968 to 1993, Elaphostr ongylus rangiferi induced CSE was diagnosed in six sheep and 30 dairy goats from 28 different herds in northern Norway. The animals were rec eived for autopsy during 11 different winters. The occurrence of CSE w as associated with high mean temperatures during the preceding summers . Further information on clinical CSE and potential risk factors of th e disease was obtained from small-ruminant farmers in northern Norway in 1989 and 1991, using a questionnaire. Clinical CSE was defined as p osterior paresis without any evidence of brain disturbances or cranial nerve dysfunctions. The survey showed that epidemics of CSE may occur in goat herds while the occurrence of CSE was sporadic in sheep herds . Disease incidence in affected gear: herds varied between 0.8 and 8.2 %. CSE was associated with the presence of reindeer in the pasture are a and occurred in the first, third and, especially, the fourth quarter of the year.