Related Experiment Videos
Management strategies to decrease the prevalence of mastitis caused by one strain of Staphylococcus aureus in a dairy
J R Middleton1, L K Fox, T H Smith
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-70601, USA.
Summary
A novel Staphylococcus aureus strain caused a dairy herd mastitis outbreak. Strict segregation, culling, and lactation cessation significantly reduced new infections and overall prevalence of this contagious mastitis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Dairy Herd Health
Background:
- An outbreak of mastitis caused by a novel Staphylococcus aureus strain occurred in a dairy herd.
- Routine control measures were ineffective against this strain, leading to high incidence (3.4 infections/100 cow months) and prevalence (>22%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate novel mastitis control strategies to reduce Staphylococcus aureus infections in a dairy herd.
- To decrease the incidence and prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) caused by S aureus.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of strict segregation for cattle with S aureus IMI.
- Intensified culling of cattle with multiple-quarter S aureus IMI.
- Induction of lactation cessation in infected quarters of single-quarter infected cattle.
Main Results:
- Following intervention, the incidence of S aureus IMI decreased to 0.35 infections/100 cow months.
- The prevalence of S aureus IMI in the herd dropped from 20% to 8% within one year.
Conclusions:
- A combination of strict segregation, intensified culling, and lactation cessation effectively controlled a challenging Staphylococcus aureus mastitis outbreak.
- These targeted interventions significantly reduced mastitis incidence and prevalence in the dairy herd.