2023-04-18 15:36:52
Salmonellosis was first detected in 2016 on a few dairy goat farms, after very high and acute mortality in newborn lambs. The bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium always turned out to be the cause. These bacteria are resistant to several groups of antibiotics, so that treatments had virtually no effect. In addition, human infections occurred on a few farms. The sector is now investigating how widespread salmonellosis is, because infections do not always lead to illness and death.
The current research is a result of the sector plan ‘Accelerate sustainability of dairy goat farming’. This also includes zoonoses. The project on salmonellosis in dairy goat farming started in 2021. It aims to provide insight into salmonellosis in the sector and to provide tools for tackling the problem. It is important that as many Dutch goat farmers as possible participate.
Salmonella are gram-negative bacteria that have a wide variety worldwide. The serotypes Salmonella Typhimurium and S. Dublin are most often found in ruminants, they can cause intestinal inflammation or blood poisoning. Many types of Salmonella can also make people sick. They are stubborn bacteria. The companies that were affected in 2016 are still on high alert. With strict hygiene measures and vaccination, the farmers try to keep the infection pressure under control.
It is now clear that the main route of introduction consists of the supply of infected animals. Good company hygiene and a well-considered purchase of animals are important. It is also possible that vermin or birds play a role in the introduction of salmonellosis on goat farms through the contamination of feed.
To investigate how much salmonellosis is circulating within the dairy goat sector, a prevalence study was started in the spring of 2021 in which all dairy goat farms in the Netherlands could participate. Salmonella spp. found it. It was striking that on most farms where salmonella bacteria were found, no serious illnesses were present. Thus, salmonellosis does not necessarily lead to clinical signs.
In addition to Salmonella Typhimurium, other serotypes of Salmonella were also found in the study. Salmonella Enteritidis, the most common human serotype, was identified 3 times. It is probably more common on dairy goat farms than previously thought. The measures applied seem to be having an effect on the companies that have had to deal with clinical salmonellosis since 2016. By vaccinating pregnant goats, paying a lot of attention to colostrum and properly separated rearing, the farmers have succeeded in reducing the infection pressure.
In 2023, the research will focus on low-threshold research methods for early detection of infections. This can be done through dust samples, bulk milk, milk filter testing or blood testing of young cattle. To test whether these methods work, they must be validated on at least 30 farms with and without salmonellosis. The Dairy Goat Farming Platform is a co-financier and makes compensation and DGZK points available for participants in this project.
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