1/24/2023:  In the third quarter of 2022, the Veekijker received questions regarding suspected outbreaks of botulism at nine different farms. At five dairy farms and one veal calf farm, pathological examination conducted by WBVR identified Clostridium botulinum type C/D by means of a PCR of the liver and rumen content. Losses of cattle caused by botulism at these farms varied. At two of the dairy farms, as many as a quarter of the dairy cattle were lost. The Veekijker advised an immediate change of feed ration at the affected farms, along with a switch from well water to mains water where applicable. Further advice was to avoid contact with poultry manure and/or bedding, and to check grassland for dead birds and any game corpses. The vaccine to combat botulism unfortunately cannot currently be administered due to changes in European legislation. Consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality must lead to renewed availability of the vaccine. Read the full article

Other subjects in Monitoring Animal Health

• Copper intoxication due to extremely high milk volume fed to young breeding calves
• Reasons for disposal of dairy cattle
• Bleeding calves
• Animal health of cattle in the Netherlands in the third quarter of 2022

Monitoring and surveillance