19 September 2025: Mixed gastrointestinal nematode infections
Published 28 November 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alerts-for-vets-emerging-and-endemic-disease-alert-system-eedas/19-september-2025-mixed-gastrointestinal-nematode-infections
Use faecal testing to stay ahead of mixed gastrointestinal nematode infections.
Situation
Since rainfall arrived across many areas that were previously very dry, pasture burdens of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) larvae have increased. It is critical that Faecal Egg Count monitoring continues, including testing to establish if Haemonchus species are present and in what proportion.
Details
We are continuing to see high case numbers of Haemonchosis in sheep. Though we are also seeing mixed GIN species infection in lambs, ewes and rams. A mixed species infection may be managed differently than cases where Haemonchus species is predominant, so testing is key.
Don’t forget to check rams too. Recently we have had cases of PGE leading to deaths in adult rams on several holdings, where mixed GIN burdens were detected on total worm counts including a high proportion of Haemonchus species plus very high faecal egg counts. In some cases rams had been treated with anthelmintic as little as four weeks earlier. As ram sales continue it’s also vital to consider quarantine procedures for purchased stock – guidance is provided on the SCOPS website.
The intervals for monitoring of anthelmintic efficacy post-treatment are 7 days for levamisole and 14 days for all other anthelmintic classes, including closantel. Flocks in England may be eligible for funding as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to undertake a Worming Treatment Check.
APHA is offering discounted differential fluorescence testing to detect Haemonchus eggs (test code TC0777, 10g of faeces required). This greatly enhances our surveillance across Great Britain. Currently this is £20.50 per sample, please include the faecal egg count on the submission form if this has been undertaken to aid interpretation of results.
Further information:
- Funding to improve animal health and welfare: guidance for farmers and vets
- Haemonchus contortus: an overview
- Disease surveillance tests
- Worms (SCOPS.org.uk)
- Quarantine treatments and procedures (SCOPS.org.uk)
- Time your Group 4 and 5 wormers right this season, says SCOPS (SCOPS.org.uk)
Message sent from the Surveillance Intelligence Unit SIU@apha.gov.uk