Brucellosis Eradication Program 4-H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas AgriLife Extension Service College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science Texas A&M System
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 affected Endemic to most parts of world Reportable Bacterial disease Zoonotic
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
Diagnosis Clinical 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
-USDA Vaccinating 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