A farming family in Fermanagh have had their dairy herd virtually wiped out in one of the most devastating outbreaks of botulism ever seen in Ireland.The farmer involved, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Irish Farmers Journal that the outbreak started last Friday when two cows were found lying on slats. At the time over 170 cows were going through the parlour, and by Wednesday of this week that number had fallen to below 40. Most of the cows had to be put down by a vet. At the peak of the infection, 50 cows were slaughtered in one day.
A farming family in Fermanagh have had their dairy herd virtually wiped out in one of the most devastating outbreaks of botulism ever seen in Ireland.
The farmer involved, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Irish Farmers Journal that the outbreak started last Friday when two cows were found lying on slats. At the time over 170 cows were going through the parlour, and by Wednesday of this week that number had fallen to below 40. Most of the cows had to be put down by a vet. At the peak of the infection, 50 cows were slaughtered in one day.
Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president David Brown, who visited the farm on Monday, said it was one of the worst sights he had ever seen.
“It put a lump in my throat just seeing all those cows struggling to breathe. And then there is the mental strain of seeing them being shot. It has a devastating impact and is a terrible loss,” he told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Botulism is not a notifiable disease, and there is no compensation available. Few, if any, farmers are covered under their insurance for such an outbreak.
It is understood that the farm involved does not keep chickens and has not spread any poultry litter on land, but that there are poultry sheds in the area. The farmer had recently opened a silo and it is suspected that a dead animal carcase must have got mixed in during the ensiling process.
Cause
Botulism is a caused by ingesting Clostridium botulinum toxin. Anaerobic conditions in a silo, especially if the silage is dry (with a pH above 4.5) are ideal conditions for the growth of this bacterium.
The disease is characterised by progressive muscle weakness (paralysis), initially affecting the back legs. Affected animals may be weak, stagger about or go down.
In NI, vaccines are available under “special treatment certification” from private vets. Unvaccinated animals require two shots one month apart and a yearly shot thereafter. Cost is around £1.50 for each shot.
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Botulism: a deadly disease
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