The rapid southern spread of a potentially fatal cattle disease that is endemic in warmer Queensland but not often experienced in the cooler south, is now being tracked by the animal health authorities in NSW.

It has been 40 years since the Bovine Ephemeral Fever or the three-day sickness, reached Bega on the NSW far south coast, after floods, similar to that of recent weeks. Cattle affected by the disease have high temperatures and can't stand up for a few days.

Ian Lugton, livestock vet says the disease is likely to spread into Victoria's north and east.

Having more rain and winds forecast today, there is certainly a fair chance that the mosquitoes carrying this infection have not got all the way down the coast, and they may well do after these weather events that are coming, Dr Lugton said.

He warns people in Victoria that the disease may have crossed over the Victorian border as it has happened in the past, and it has been recognized in the Temora and Wagga areas at the moment, although the cooler weather temperatures may be limiting the spread.

Health authorities say there's no risk from consuming beef or milk, from cattle affected with the three-day sickness.

Medicine