Cattle deaths mount as unseasonal three-day sickness spreads in Queensland

Graziers in north Queensland are being urged to vaccinate their cattle as an unseasonal outbreak of a flu-like virus spreads through the region.

Bovine ephemeral fever, commonly known as three-day sickness, usually only lasts for a few days but this outbreak has seen cattle dying within 24 to 48 hours.

Unusual severity and spread

Hughenden-based vet Libby Harriman said the current outbreak was one of the worst she's seen in a decade.