Rafter N Ranch, Inc
Brucello sis
of cattle, also known as "contagious abortion" and "Bangs disease", is caused by
infection with the bacterium Brucella abortus, which can also cause a disease of
humans known as "undulant fever". Brucellosis infection of cattle causes
abortion or premature calving of recently infected animals, most often between
the fifth and eight month of pregancy. Although federal and state regulations
have helped to control this disease, there is still a threat. Infected cows
frequently suffer from retained afterbirth, are difficult to get rebred and
sometimes become sterile.
Brucellosis is spread from the broken road signl discharge of an infected cow or
from an aborted fetus. The organism has an affinity for the reproductive tract
and abortions, retained placenta, weak calves and infertility frequently occur.
Breeding bulls which are infected, can transmit the disease to cows at the
time of service by infected semen. Milk produced front an infected cow may also
harbor the organism. The infected milk creates a public health hazard as this
is the organism that causes undulant fever in humans.
There is no treatment for Brucellosis. Prevention of Brucellosis is accomplished
by official calfhood vaccination of heifer calves. Vaccination must be done by
an accredited veterinarian at calf ages that vary from two to four months using
standard dosage vaccine, or from 4 to 12 months using reduced dosage vaccine.
Each calf must be identified as officially vaccinated in compliance with state
and federal regulations. Quarantines are imposed on infected herds by state and
federal authorities until the herd has been proven free of the disease.