Effect of Map-vaccination in ewes on body condition score, weight and Map-shedding.

Vaccination against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) in sheep receives growing attention worldwide, particularly in countries with national Map control strategies. A field study was conducted, investigating the effect of GUDAIR on body condition, weight and Map-shedding in a professionally managed but largely Map-affected suffolk flock prior and after vaccination. For this, 80 ewes out of 1000 animals were randomly sampled. In the univariate analysis body condition scores of ewes twelve months after vaccination improved significantly compared to those sampled prior to vaccination. At the same time the rate of ewes shedding Map was reduced by 37%.

Prevalence and risk factors for Maedi-Visna in sheep farms in Mecklenburg-Western-Pomerania.

Despite indications of a considerable spread of Maedi-Visna among sheep flocks in Germany, prevalence studies of this important infection are hardly available. Prior to any health schemes and guidelines, knowledge about regional disease distribution is essential. Depending upon herd size, 70 farms were randomly selected, of which 41 cooperated. A total of 2229 blood samples were taken at random and serologically examined. For assessment of selected farm characteristics a questionnaire exercise was conducted at all farms involved. The average herd prevalence is 51.2%, the within-herd prevalence is 28,8%. In the unvariate analysis of risk factors, small (10-100 sheep) and large (> 250 sheep) farms are more MVV-affected than medium sized farms. The average stable and pasture space per sheep is larger at non-infected- compared to infected farms. Owners judgement on general herd health turns out to be better at non-infected compared to infected farms. Taking infected farms only, the risk of within-herd prevalence above 20% is significant higher in crossbred than in purebred flocks.

[Functional risk assessment of handling of sheep housing and pasture areas at a scrapie-infested farm in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania]. / Angewandte Risikobewertung zur Bewirtschaftung von Stallanlagen und Weideflächen in einem von Scrapie betroffenen Bestand in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

In the wake of a scrapie monitoring programme 2002 in Mecklenburg-Westpomerania a total of 10 positive cases were identified after culling at a suffolk-farm with about 1000 animals. Scientific based recommendations are difficult to judge as longitudinal studies and subsequent quantitative risk factors regarding the epidemiology of scrapie are either not available or conflicting. Given this background a risk assessment was developed that is based on the probability of validated risk factors considering special husbandry and circumstances at the very farm.

[Investigation of serological prevalence and risk factors of paratuberculosis in dairy farms in the state of Mecklenburg-Westpommerania, Germany]. / Untersuchung zur serologischen Prävalenz und zu Risikofaktoren der Paratuberkulose in Milchviehbetrieben in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

A total of 2,997 serum samples were randomly taken at 59 pre-selected dairy farms covering all districts with an average of 334 animals kept per farm. Samples were analysed for antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M.a.p.) using Svanovir-ELISA. Risk factors on farm characteristics and animal health were recorded at all participating farms by use of a questionnaire. Fifty out of 59 farms (84.7%) showed at least one reactor. The average within herd prevalence was 12.2%. In the univariate analysis of risk factors no significant differences towards farm prevalences were found. Results are discussed with special emphasis on the need for a common national strategy to control the disease in Germany.