Salmonella in dairy calves

Why do outbreaks occur in well managed herds?

Abstract

Modern calf-raising facilities are not designed for effective cleaning and disinfection. Common issues are lack of a sanitary design, absence of wash bays, improper floor drainage, plus open side curtains and peaks, which negates the use of thermal fogging, which is the only effective method available to decontaminate buildings. Doorway entry and exit points use outdated technology (foot baths) to control infectious agents, and there is a general unawareness by calf raisers and veterinarians of the dangers posed by a relatively small number of Salmonella serotypes such as Salmonella Heidelberg. The dangerous serotypes of Salmonella spp can quickly circumvent current best practices for raising dairy calves and lead to high morbidity and mortality disease outbreaks.