Bovine paratuberculosis: an update

Paratuberculosis is enzootic in the Great Lakes region and northeast US, causing severe economic losses. Sheep, pigs and deer can serve as intermediate hosts. Diagnosis is difficult and there is no entirely satisfactory serodiagnostic test. While treatment is generally considered ineffective, vaccines have been used successfully for prevention. Measures that can be taken in herds to reduce losses include raising replacement animals separate from adults, slaughtering animals shedding M paratuberculosis in their feces, and decontaminating the premises.