Current status of diagnosis, treatment and control of haemorrhagic septicaemia in buffaloes and cows.

Definition

Haemorrhagic septicaemia is acute, fatal, septicaemic disease caused by strain of Pasteurella multocida belonging to the serogroups B commonly in buffaloes and cattle and also in pigs and feral ruminants.

Buffaloes are generally more susceptible than cattle and young animals are more prone to the disease than adults.

DIAGNOSIS

CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS

based on

1. clinical signs

2. gross pathological lesions

3. consideration of relevant epidemiological parameters

A buffalo calf clinically affected with HS

Buffalo having Submandibularswelling

Buffalo calf unable to suckle milk due to mandibular swelling

ROUTINE LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS

Routine laboratory diagnosis is by culture and serology

Material for lab diagnosis usually consists of blood or a long bone for bone marrow culture.

Pure cultures are obtained from contaminated material by mouse inoculation and culture of the mouse blood.

OTHER DIGNOSTIC TESTS

Includes additional serological, biochemical and molecular techniques

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

1. INFECTIOUS DISEASE—Anthrax, Rinderpest, Black quarter

2. NON INFECTIOUS DISEASE—Lightening, Snakebites and Acute poisoning

3. Respiratory form of disease and Pasteurellosis caused by serotypes other than groupB and E or by Pasteurella haemolytica.

TREATEMENT

CHEMOTHERAPYInj. Ceftiofur sodium@ 1mg/kg body Wight intramuscular in 24 hours for 3-5days

Inj. Ceftrioxone alone or with sulbactin@3g/dayintramuscular once in 24 hours for 3-5days

Inj. Gentamicin@30-40ml intramuscular, repeat after 8 hours for 3-5days

HS is primary bacterial disease and theoretically could be effectively treated by wide range of antibiotics currently available. However treatment is constrained by a host of practical consideration

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES IN ENDEMIC COUNTRIES

1. VACCINATE ON A ROUTINE PROPHYLATIC BASIS

2. ESTABLISH A GOOD REPORTING SYSTEM

3. CREATE AWARENESS OF THE DISEASE AMONG FARMERS

4. PREVENT MIXING OF ANIMALS FROM ENDEMIC AND NONENDEMIC AREAS

PREVENTIVE MEASURES DURING AN OUTBREAK

1. CONTINUE VACCINATION PROGRAMS

2. ISOLATE AND TREAT ANIMALS SHOWING CLINICAL SIGNS WITH A PARENTERAL BROAD-SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTIC

3. CHECK THE RECTAL TEMPERATURE OF ALL IMMEDIATE INCONTACT ANIMALS IN THE HERD

4. SEARCH DAILY FOR SICK ANIMALS OR CARCASES OF DEAD ANIMALS-

5. CONFINE HERDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AND PREVENT MOVENT OF ANIMALS IN AND OUT OF DISEASED PREMISES OR VILLAGES.

6. TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO CARRY OUT POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS AND MAKE A TENTATIVE DIAGNOSIS.

7. DISPATCH SPECIMENS TO THE NEAREST DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

8. DISPOSE OF CARCASES OF DEAD ANIMALS PROPERLY

9. PROPERLY DISPOSE OF UNCONSUMED FODDER, BEDDING etc FROM INFECTED PREMISES

10. CLOSELY MONITOR OR STOP RAIN-ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES

PREVENTION OF SPREAD ACROSS BORDERS

1. ENSURE THAT THE ANIMALS ORIGINATE FROM A REGION WHERE NO OUTBREAKS OF HS HAVE OCCURRED FOR AMINIMUM PERIOD OF ONE YEAR

2. BLEED A RANDOM SAMPLE OF ANIMALS

3. TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF ANTIBODY BY THE INDIRECT HAEMAGGLUTINATION TEST OR BY ELISA

4. HOLD ANIMALS UNDER OBSERVATION FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS BEFORE TRANSPORT

5. QUARANTINE ANIMALS AFTER TRANSPORT TO THE NEW LOCATION

6. VACCINATE ANIMALS FROM DISEASE-FREE LOCATIONS IN ENDEMIC COUNTRIES