BOTULISM, BOVINE - UK (SCOTLAND)

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
From: ...

Originally from – ProMED-mail
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

[1]
Date: Mon 17 Jul 2006
Source: BBC News, 14 Jul 2006 [edited] <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/580938.stm>

Botulism outbreak, cattle put down

About 200 cattle on a beef farm near Ecclefechan [Dumfriesshire] have been destroyed after contracting botulism. It is the most serious of 4 outbreaks in Scotland in recent weeks; the other farms were in Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire. [See northern part of map at: <http://www.uk-holiday-cottages.com/images/ukmap.gif> – Mod.JW]

Tests are under way into the cause, thought to center on cattle
coming into contact with contaminated poultry litter or animal feed. Veterinary experts are concerned at the number of outbreaks in the past month.

The Scottish Agricultural College's veterinary manager Douglas Gray said cases like the Dumfries and Galloway one were rare. "Previous to this, we have only really been aware of one confirmed outbreak of botulism in cattle in Scotland, and that was about 2 years ago," he said. "Obviously, having had a total of 4 outbreaks over this early summer [2006] period is cause for concern.

Mr. Gray siad 2 of the outbreaks have definitely been associated with the application of poultry litter to grazing ground." He added that in a 3rd case, it appeared that a shortened gap between applying litter and putting animals onto the land may have been to blame.

The SAC is urging farmers to be aware of the risks of botulism in cattle that are in contact with poultry litter or animal feed contaminated with wild bird or rodent carcasses. [see further].

[2]
Date: Mon 17 Jul 2006
From: ...

Originally from: ProMED-mail <...>
Source: Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), News Release 06N46, 13 Jul 2006 [edited] <http://www.sac.ac.uk/news/currentnews/botulismguidance>

Broiler Litter And Contaminated Feed Implicated In Recent Cases Of Botulism In Cattle

SAC [Scottish Agricultural College] Veterinary Services is urging farmers to be aware of the risks of botulism in cattle that are in contact with broiler litter or animal feed contaminated with wild bird or rodent carcasses. Although until recently relatively rare in Scotland, 4 cases of botulism in cattle have been investigated by SAC in the last month [July 2006]. In 2 of these outbreaks, contact with broiler litter was the suspected source of infection. In the other 2 cases, the source appears to be home mixed feed or silage which has become contaminated with carcass material.

This increase in Scotland follows reports of an increase, in recent years, in the number of cases of botulism in cattle and sheep, mostly associated with broiler litter, in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland. In some of these cases, mortality rates have been high. For example in one outbreak in England, 88 animals in a flock of 230 ewes either died or had to be destroyed.

Ruminant farmers, poultry producers and veterinary surgeons are urged to take precautions to minimize the risk of botulism through contact with broiler litter or carcass material.

SAC has issued the following guidelines:

1. Guidelines for ruminant farmers:

– If at all possible, do not import poultry litter onto ruminant
farms [this, in fact, means that SAC apparently negates the feeding of cattle with poultry manure, a rather widespread practice in various industrialized countries. – Mod.AS].

– Move stock away from nearby fields, including those on neighboring premises, if litter is stored or spread on fields.

– If using litter for fertilizer, do not spread on pasture used for grazing or from which forage is conserved, and keep stock as far from it as possible.

– When using as fertilizer on arable fields, plough in the litter as soon as possible.

– If storing litter or feed components for a period on the farm,
these must be secure:
a. the storage facility should prevent access by scavenging birds and animals b. site litter store as far as possible from livestock on home and neighboring farms c. comply with relevant environmental regulations (PEPFAA Good Practice Code) d. store litter in a secure enclosure constructed with wooden sleepers, concrete or earth walls e. secure litter store once filled to deter access by scavengers, e.g. cover with cattle manure and slurry, or use properly weighted and secured strong tarpaulin

– Remove litter to arable land and plough immediately, avoiding a period of storage on pasture when scavenging animals and birds could gain access.

– Ensure that machinery used for litter is not used for storing,
mixing or moving feedstuffs.

– Do not use litter as bedding for ruminants.

– Adopt good personal hygiene when moving or spreading litter.

– Contact your veterinary surgeon if you suspect cases of botulism in your livestock.

2. Additional Recommendations for Poultry Producers:

– It is illegal to dispose of litter with carcass material as
fertilizer (Animal By-Products Regulations).

– Ideally, remove litter from buildings and transport immediately to an incineration site.

– If unable to transport off the farm immediately, securely store litter after removal from housing, as detailed previously for ruminant farmers.

3. Guidelines for Veterinary Surgeons

Suspect cases of botulism in livestock should be reported to your nearest SAC Veterinary Services Centre for further investigation. SAC acts on behalf of Food Standards Agency Scotland, who will carry out a risk assessment in relation to potential threats to the human food chain of such cases.

For veterinary surgeons whose clients are faced with the risk of
further outbreaks of botulism in ruminants, such as those with
broiler units who dispose of their own litter as fertilizer, or for premises adjacent to broiler units, a bivalent _Clostridium botulinum_ types C and D vaccine is available for use in cattle and sheep. The vaccine can be obtained by applying to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for a Special Treatment Certificate (STC). Application forms are available on line at <http://www.vmd.gov.uk> under the general information/applications page. Further information is available in Veterinary Medicines Guidance Note (VMGN) 7.

Notes for Editors

Botulism is an often fatal disease resulting from ingestion of
powerful neurotoxins produced by the bacterium _Clostridium
botulinum_. Multiplication of this bacterium with toxin production can occur in animal carcasses and other rotting organic material. Poultry carcasses which may be present in poultry litter are the most common but not the only source of toxin for livestock. Affected animals show progressive paralysis, usually affecting the hindquarters first. They go down, are unable to get to their feet and die. Treatment is almost invariably unsuccessful.

In England and Wales, a marked rise in the incidence of suspected botulism was seen in 2003. In 2004, 22 incidents in cattle and 2 in sheep were investigated, and in 2005, 20 incidents in cattle and 3 in sheep were investigated. 7 incidents in cattle, and one in sheep, have already occurred in 2006.

The Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Veterinary Service has also reported more outbreaks, many associated with broiler litter, in the last 5 years.

[Botulism is a highly fatal toxemia caused by ingestion of the toxin of _Clostridium botulinum_. There are 8 recognized types and subtypes of the organisms. Botulism toxins C and D, which are the ones related to cattle, are generally regarded as non-pathogenic to humans. Laboratory confirmation is difficult and not always possible; it is based upon toxicity of stomach and intestinal filtrates in mice, but a negative answer -- which is not exceptional -- is unreliable. In many cases, the suspicion is based upon clinical observations of the characteristic motor paralysis and the elimination of other causes of motor paralysis. It will be interesting to obtain information on the diagnostic methods applied by SAC.

The source of the toxins in broiler litter is generally attributed to the remains of chicken carcasses.

Vaccines against _Cl. botulinum_ toxins types C and D in cattle and other farm animals (small ruminants, horses) are available and widely applied in countries such as Australia, South Africa and Israel.

For further commentaries regarding botulism in cattle following
feeding with poultry manure, see 20060524.1464 and 20020618.4531. – Mod.AS]

[see also:
Botulism, bovine – Australia 20060524.1464
2003

Botulism, bovine – Ireland: poultry litter origin 20030701.1623
2002

Botulism, cattle – Israel 20020618.4531
Botulism, cattle, suspected – UK (Northern Ireland) 20020315.3750 Anthrax, livestock – Australia (Queensland) (03) 20020112.3231
2000

Undiagnosed mortality, dairy cattle – Belgium (04) 20000204.0169
1999

Faeces as animal feeds – Europe (02) 19990923.1701
Botulism, bovine – USA (California) 19990524.0871
1998