Johnes

General Information

General information

Johnes is an infectious bacterial disease primarily affecting the intestinal tract in cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas. It has also been reported in wild ruminants. Signs of the disease include chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and soft swelling under the jaw.

The cattle industries consider Johnes disease a growing concern. The disease has the potential of having a major economic influence on cattle producers and could significantly impact international cattle markets. Veterinary Services estimates that some 22 percent of all dairy herds and eight percent of all beef herds in the United States are affected with the disease.

Diagnosis  

Diagnosis of the disease in live individual animals is difficult for a number of reasons. To date, "there is no single, good test for paratuberculosis and a combination of tests is often used." ^1.   It seems that it is easier to diagnosis the presence in a herd as opposed to individual animals. Most of the time, the definitive diagnosis is done after an animal has died. Note that in the bibliography, there is research going on to attempt to develop better diagnostic methods for this difficult disease.                                                Back

Control measures

There is no satisfactory treatment for the disease. Disease control is via implementing a variety of production practices. Some of the production practices include culling of affected animals, and removal of calves from dams immediately following birth. The calves are then fed pasturized colostrum that is free of fecal contamination and raising them in a facility that is separate from adult cows. Fecal culturing of all cows in a herd can catch those affected early on. Manure removal and facility cleaning can help control the disease. Since a pH basic soil discourages bacterial survival in soil, liming of pastures is helpful.

Vaccines used in calfhood can be effective in reducing the incidence, but they do not totally eliminate disease. A more effective vaccine is also being researched at this time, but vaccination does not eliminate the need for good production practices.

1. Aiello, Susan E. and Asa Mays (eds.) The Merck Veterinary Manual, 8^th edition. Whitehouse Station, N. J. The Merck & Co, Inc. 1998, p.537-539.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps/johnes/

National Johnes Workgroup: http://www.usaha.org

Information on Johne's disease producer knowledge, risk factors, cost to producers, and herd prevalence was obtained through Dairy NAHMS 96 and Beef NAHMS 97.  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cahm

Survey for Johnes disease in U.S. dairy cattle herds
USDA-APHIS-VS Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH) In 1996 a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture agency, CEAH, surveyed dairy cattle herds in the U.S. for Johne's disease. They also gauged producer awareness and estimated the economic of Johne's disease. The full report of their findings is available at the CEAH website.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/index.htm

Survey for Johnes disease in U.S. beef cow-calf cattle herds
USDA-APHIS-VS Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH) In 1997 a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture agency, CEAH, surveyed beef cattle herds (those that produce calves, referred to as cow-calf herds in the U.S. and beef suckler herds in many other countries) in the U.S. for Johnes disease. They also gauged producer awareness and estimated the economic impact of Johnes disease. The full report of their findings is available at the CEAH website.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/index.htm

Additional Links

http://www.johnes.org/links/index.shtml#us_sites

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