Disease threat more common this winter (From Western Telegraph)

Disease threat more common this winter

A disease which causes sudden death in cattle is expected to be more common than normal this winter because of its association with another condition affecting Pembrokeshire herds.

The National Animal Disease Information Service said black disease was a condition of the liver caused by a bacteria.

"As it most commonly occurs in animals affected with liver fluke, it is likely to be more common than normal this winter," said NADIS vet Mike Howe, who is based in Pembrokeshire.

Infection begins when bacterial spores present in the soil are eaten. Preventing access to soil by not grazing freshly sown pastures with young stock can therefore reduce the risk, said Mike Howe.

"The disease affects cattle of all ages, though like most clostridial diseases, the peak age is between one and two years," he explained.

A post mortem is essential to rule out other diseases which cause sudden death. But this should not be carried out on-farm because it can further contaminate the ground and infect other cattle.

A NADIS report by Richard Laven, manager of the Scottish Agricultural College's Surveillance Centre, suggested that vaccination was the only effective means of controlling black disease. "With clostridial vaccines, like all vaccines, care should be taken to follow the manufacturers' instructions,'' said Mr Laven.

"The best protection is a two-dose course followed by annual revaccination. Other regimes can be effective but farmers should check with their vets before using these. Vaccination takes between ten and 14 days to become effective so it is best to vaccinate before a problem occurs or a risk period is encountered.''

The recent increase in the spread of liver fluke across the UK has been associated with an increase in the number of cases of black disease. "Controlling liver fluke is thus an essential part of any black disease programme,'' suggested Mike Howe.

Research by the National Animal Disease Information Service, a network of veterinary practices and colleges monitoring diseases in the UK livestock industry, is sponsored by the Milk Development Council, the Meat and Livestock Commission, Elanco Animal Health and Intervet.