How Diseases and Parasites are Spread 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 spread of infections by direct means Discuss the spread of infections by indirect means Describe the methods by which parasites are spread Discuss sources of disease
Idea Pathogen has left infected host and looking for susceptible host
Direct vs. Indirect Transmission Direct transmission Direct or close contact Indirect transmission Vectors Vehicles Fomites
Routes of Transmission Aerosol Oral Vehicle Vector Mechanical Biological
Sources A. Carrier/reservoir animals 1. Aerosol droplets 8. Milk 2. Nasal fluid 9. Fetal fluid 3. Ocular fluid10. In utero 4. Saliva 11. Genital fluid 5. Skin12. Blood 6. Manure13. Carcass 7. Urine
Vectors (live) Ticks Flies Mosquitoes Scavengers People
Vehicles (not alive) Instruments Needles Ear tagger Tattooer Dehorner Nose tong Knife Utensils Buckets Troughs Boots Clothing
Environment Soil Water Food Air
Routes of Entry Susceptible Animals Mouth Vagina Nose Prepuce Eyes Transplacental Skin Venereal Teats Blood
Incubation Period Long/short Exposure to symptoms Exposure to positive tests During incubation period No symptoms Negative tests
After incubation period Symptoms Positive tests
Latent Infections (Recrudescent Infections) Extended incubation period No symptoms Negative tests After recrudescence Symptoms Positive tests
Injury Blackleg Malignant edema Black disease Black-neck disease Diet change/overload Enterotoxemia
Flukes Redwater Stress IBR/PI 3 /BVD/BRSV Pasteurella/haemophilus Pregnancy in heifers Brucellosis
Non-Latent Infections Normal incubation period
Stress Factors Nutrition Weather Pregnancy Calving Working Weaning Shipping Breeding Walking
High Risk Herds Identify sources Separate carrier/reservoir animals (shedders) Reduce commingling
Vaccinate Susceptible Animals Not 100% protection No response Improper procedures Mishandled vaccine Expired vaccine Stored opened vaccines Poor quality vaccine Primary dose only
Long/short protection Vaccinate before exposure Does not prevent recrudescence in latent infections
Biosecurity Measures Raise replacements Purchase animals from clean herds Test purchased animals Vaccinate purchased animals Isolate purchased animals Restrict visitors and vehicle entries Construct buffer zone fencing