| Title |
The Pennsylvania Johne's control program |
| Author(s) |
Whitlock RH1,
Hutchinson LJ2,
Sweeney RW1,
Van Buskirk MA3.
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| Institution(s) |
1New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348 USA. 2Dept. of Veterinary Science, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. 3Bureau of Animal Industry, Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA.
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| Source |
Third International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis
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| Section |
7:
Control and Management
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| Abstract |
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been providing a diagnostic service for farmers to help control Johne's disease for more than two decades. Annual whole herd fecal culturing, provision for indemnity payments of known infected cattle, providing advice on management methods and use of M. paratuberculosis vaccine in selected herds represent key elements of this program. More than 500 herds have participated in the program. The overall prevalence of Johne's disease in Pennsylvania was found to be 7.2% of culled adult dairy cattle. An estimated 20% of dairy herds in the state are believed to be infected with M. paratuberculosis. The annual economic losses for decreased milk production and difference in carcass weight at slaughter exceed $5.4 million annually. Because of the great economic losses and increased demand for cattle to originate from noninfected herds, the state will implement a paratuberculosis test negative certification program in the fall of 1991. Criteria for certification will include whole herd testing of adult cattle using serum ELISA and fecal culture. Certification will be renewed annually pending negative serum ELISA and fecal culture tests.
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