The Animal Health Service sees an increase in the number of dairy cows that become infected with the bacterium Mannheimia haemolitica. The bacteria is quite common and an infection is usually harmless. However, cows can also become seriously ill from an infection and even succumb to it.
The Animal Health Service finds the bacteria Mannheimia haemolitica in 4.5% of all section material from dairy cattle older than one year. In the veal calf sections, that share is around 20%.
In a violent outbreak, an infection with Mannheimia haemolitica is accompanied by breathlessness and high fever. A sick cow can die within 24 hours. Usually a few cows follow in the flock. Animals can be rescued by prompt treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. The Animal Health Service is starting an investigation to gain a better idea of the extent to which the bacterium plays a role in the animal health of dairy cattle.
Farms that have already had an infection can have their dry cows vaccinated. The antibodies that are formed in response to the vaccination also end up in the colostrum and therefore immediately provide protection to the calf.
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