Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging sheep and beef farmers to be vigilant about their on-farm biosecurity after an increase in the number of reported cases of Salmonella Brandenburg in cattle in Taranaki.
Chris Houston, B+LNZ’s Head of Technical Policy, says S. Brandenburg, in particular, can cause abortion and deaths in ewes and cattle in late pregnancy. Most other abortive diseases in NZ sheep do not cause illness in affected ewes, but this is a common and devastating effect of S. Brandenburg.
He says S. Brandenburg is one of several types of salmonella found in New Zealand’s sheep flocks. S. Hindmarsh is the type more commonly responsible for sudden deaths in ewes at other times of the year, while S. Brandenburg is particularly associated with late pregnancy abortions and deaths.
S. Typhimurium and S. Bovismorbificans can also cause severe disease in cattle and sheep and many strains of salmonella can affect humans.
Stressors such as bad weather, feed pinches, yarding, shearing and increased stocking densities can cause carrier animals to become active shedders of the bacteria.
“Unvaccinated and naïve sheep are most at risk of developing the disease and becoming significant spreaders. While vaccination offers some protection, it does not provide a guarantee of avoiding the disease.”
This makes it even more important that those farmers who are still lambing, or yet to start, keep an eye out for abortion or unexplained deaths.
Chris urges farmers to ensure they maintain good biosecurity practices at all times, such as wearing disposable gloves when handling dead stock, and seek veterinary advice if they have any questions or suspected cases of salmonella.
Resources
Prevention and control recommendations for Salmonella Brandenburg (PDF, 165 KB)