Dutch paratuberculosis programme history, principles and development

Organised disease control started in the Netherlands in the 18th century wi th governmental attempts to eradicate cattle plague. At the beginning of th e 20th century, the dairy industry and cattle breeding organisations initia ted a programme to control infectious diseases by means of a complex system of rewards acid penalties. This was also the reason for establishing the A nimal Health Service in Friesland in 1919. The history of programmes to con trol paratuberculosis in sheep, goats, and cattle in various countries is d escribed. The vaccination of young animals seems to be an effective measure in the prevention of clinical paratuberculosis, although changes in manage ment and hygiene practices are also important. A control programme for infe ctious cattle diseases has a number of phases (a lifecycle) and different c omponents. Two components are essential for success, namely: open and regul ar communication with farmers, veterinary practitioners, and other people i nvolved and a good registration and identification system for cattle, herds , and veterinary practitioners. The Dutch paratuberculosis programme has 10 herd status levels: 5-10 for non-suspect herds and 1-4 for infected herds or herds of unknown status. The higher the status, the greater the chance t hat a herd is fret: of paratuberculosis. An outline is given of the Dutch p aratuberculosis programme including its objectives, basic principles for er adication, communication plan, legal action, logistic considerations, and c omplementary research programme. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.