'Fatal Mortality Rate'... Botulism Outbreak at Dairy Farm in Icheon, Gyeonggi

4 Calves Die After Unable to Stand Symptoms... Strengthened Quarantine and Emergency Vaccination Implemented

A cow showing symptoms of 'botulism' is lying down [Provided by Gyeonggi-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Recently, 'bovine botulism' causing inability to stand and death occurred at a dairy cattle farm in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, resulting in the death of four calves.

The Gyeonggi-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory announced on the 28th, "A report was received that a calf showing inability to stand symptoms died between the 9th and 17th at a dairy farm located in Bubal-eup, Icheon-si."

After observation and animal disease diagnosis at the farm, the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory found that no other cattle are currently showing additional abnormal symptoms.

'Botulism' is a toxic disease caused by animals ingesting neurotoxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, leading to nerve paralysis.

The primary symptoms include paralysis of the hind leg muscles causing the animal to sit down, lie down, or crouch, difficulty swallowing food, and excessive salivation. Subsequently, paralysis spreads to the forelimbs, head, and neck muscles, and death occurs 1 to 3 days after respiratory muscle paralysis symptoms appear.

Although it is a fatal disease with a high mortality rate of 30-45%, fortunately, it is not contagious between animals.

However, the 'Clostridium botulinum' bacterium has strong vitality in the external environment, can persist in soil for a long time, and may invade hay, vegetables, food waste, or animal carcasses, producing toxins under suitable growth conditions (absence of air and maintenance of appropriate temperature), so caution is required.

In Korea, 'botulism' was officially first confirmed in 1999 in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, and after additional cases were confirmed in Pocheon in 2012, outbreaks or suspected cases have occurred in various regions.

Since 'botulism' is a toxin poisoning caused by bacterial toxins rather than a bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment is ineffective, making prevention crucial.

The Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory is currently strengthening quarantine measures such as disinfection and surveillance at the affected farm, providing guidance on biosecurity measures to the farm, and making every effort to prevent additional occurrences of 'bovine botulism' through emergency vaccination.

Choi Kwon-rak, head of the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory, emphasized, "It is important to ensure that carcasses of dead animals or spoiled hay and silage are not mixed into feed." He urged, "In case of suspected cases, stop feeding the suspected feed, incinerate or bury the feed or bedding suspected as contamination sources, and report immediately to the testing laboratory."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.