Johne's disease: its significance, diagnosis and control

ABSTRACT:

Johne's disease is an insidious, chronic disease which causes significant, yet frequently underestimated loss within the national herd. Determining status on a herd and particularly on an individual animal level can be difficult. Control depends on risk assessment and management, particularly if animals are to be purchased, and on attention to hygiene, especially around the time of calving and during the first days and weeks of life. This may be, of course, easier said than done but to ignore this disease and its consequences is not a sustainable option.