Brucellosis Eradication Program

4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine 

Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science

Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu

Objectives

Discuss the decrease in the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle and swine

Understand that health regulations are health management practices used to prevent the spread of the disease

Numerous animal species affectedEndemic to most parts of worldReportableBacterial diseaseZoonotic

Causative Agent

Caused by species of Brucella bacteria

Brucella abortus - cattle, bison, elk

Brucella melitensis - goats

Brucella suis - swine

Brucella ovis - sheep

Brucella canis - dogs

Brucella neotomae - rats

-USDA, VS

Transmission

Routes of exit from infected animal

Aborted fetus Reproductive fluids Placenta Milk Urine Semen

Routes of entry to susceptible animal

Ingestion Mucous membranes Broken skin Intact skin

Once an animal is infected, it is forever infected with bacteria Reservoir hosts shed bacteria Dead-end hosts do not shed bacteria

DiagnosisClinical symptoms of Bang’s disease in cattle

Abortions Retained placentas Decreased milk production Testicular abscesses Arthritis

Laboratory tests Serology Culture

Clinical symptoms in horses Fistulous withers Poll evil

Laboratory tests Serology Culture

Clinical symptoms in sheep and goats

Abortions Retained placentas Mastitis Lameness Orchitis and epididymitis Impaired fertility

Laboratory tests Serology Culture

Clinical symptoms in swine Abortions Weak/stillborn piglets Orchitis Sterility in boars Swollen joints and tendon sheaths Lameness Posterior paralysis Metritis Body abscesses

Laboratory tests Serology Culture

Prevention

Heifer vaccination

Testing new entries

Herd testing and slaughter

-USDAVaccinating Heifers Helps to Keep the Free of Bang’s Disease

Regulation and Eradication National Animal Identification System (pending)

USDA Brucellosis Eradication Program Interstate movement testing Show testing First point testing Slaughter testing Surveillance Herd certification/validation

Texas FEAD Emergency Response Plan Identify positive animals and destroy Reduce amount of time to get back test results Track origin of suspects animals

Swine Brucellosis

Brucella suis Zoonotic

Transmission Oral Venereal

Prevention No vaccine

Symptoms Abortions Infertility Sterility

Surveillance Blood test

Shows Slaughter plants Change-of-ownership Organized hunts

Eradication Quarantine and disposal