Systematic Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology

CONTROL, PREVENTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE

• This disease is very contagious and spreads rapidly among the remaining animals unless very strict hygiene is practiced.
• The fetus, placenta, birth fluids, vaginal discharge, and feces from the affected animals are all sources of infection.
• If the water or feeding areas become contaminated with these materials, the abortion rate can be very high.
• Isolate the aborting animals immediately, along with proper disposal of the aborted fetus/placenta, and disinfection procedures.
• Prevent the disease from spreading by limiting access to the aborted materials by wild birds and wild or domestic mammals, which can carry the bacteria to other lots or ranches. Cleanliness is absolutely essential.
• Many Campylobacter species produce beta-lactamase, thus accounting for their resistance to penicillin and ampicillin.
• Killed bacterins are effective both prophylactically and therapeutically. Heifers and cows should be vaccinated 1 to 4 months before breeding.
• Segregate affected bulls and test new additions. If infected, suspend breeding for 90 days and use antibiotics and artificial insemination.
• In Sheep, vaccinate all incoming and unvaccinated ewes thirty days prior to breeding season and again sixty to ninety days later.
• Follow up with a booster every year at the onset of breeding season.
• While some immunity is obtained following an outbreak, immunity against one strain of Campylobacter is not cross-protective against the other strain.
• This false sense of security combined with the presence of carrier animals can result in further abortion storms.

Public health significance

• Campylobacter has potential public health significance. C. jejuni - a very important zoonotic pathogen - Milk, minced meat, dogs, cats, and poultry are important reservoirs of infection for humans.
• It is widely distributed in the intestine of domestic and wild animals but is rarely isolated from the feces of normal humans.
• In human even 500 c.f.u./ml in milk are infective, the signs are fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloody stools. Some may become persistently infected.