Tools for managing Johne’s disease in goats
To assist producers identify the potential risk associated with buying goats, the Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA), in consultation with the state departments of primary industries has developed a risk rating scale. This scale has been incorporated in the National Goat Health Statement (NGHS) which is a means of prospective purchaser’s better understanding the health status and risk associated with particular lines of animals offered for sale, not just for Johne’s disease but also a number of other important production diseases. Vendors can use the NGHS to promote the favourable health status of their animals.
The Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program (GoatMAP) is a voluntary quality assurance program that provides a means of identifying animals that have a very low risk of having Johne’s disease. Producers whose herds have entered the MAP have developed a farm biosecurity plan, regularly test stock and carefully evaluate and monitor any introductions of stock to their herd. For further information please see the GoatMAP page.
As animals become infected with Johne’s disease when they are young and especially in the first weeks and months of life, reducing their exposure to potential sources of infection and increasing their immunity early in life can significantly reduce their risk of becoming infected and spreading infection to others.
The goat industry has yet to finalise its approved kid rearing program but such a program should aim to minimise exposure of kids to potentially contaminated colostrum, milk, water, feed and ground.
Large numbers of kids could be infected if pooled colostrum and milk from infected does is inadvertently fed to them. Kids should only be fed with colostrum or milk from their own mothers, or failing that, from does that are known to be low risk. Water should be town or tank water provided in raised troughs or drinkers. Kids should be weaned onto ground that is not contaminated by faeces or drained or splashed effluent from adults. Remember too that other species can spread the Johne’s bacteria to goats.
GudairTM vaccine is registered for use in goats which should be vaccinated between 4 and 16 weeks of age (ie “approved vaccinates”). Be careful handling and injecting the vaccine as it causes inflammatory lumps. These can be severe and people who accidentally inoculate themselves should seek medical attention immediately.
Vaccination of kids at the approved age does not prevent infection in all animals, but it does reduce the incidence of infection and the severity of Johne’s disease in the minority of goats that do become infected. Note that the National Goat Health statement also recognises goats vaccinated after 16 weeks of age as approved vaccinates when an approved veterinarian confirms that they have not been exposed to Johne’s disease.
Page updated: 7 July 2009