Prevention of tuberculosis of cattle imported from abroad

Abstract

When importing cattle from Hungary, Germany, Holland and Australia, many violations of veterinary rules for cattle management for the purpose of its reproduction, rearing and sale were noted. Pathogens of a number of infectious diseases penetrate livestock farms with the cattle purchased. Cases of infection of imported pedigree cattle with tuberculosis were noted. Scientists, together with practical experts of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, conducted a series of surveys of livestock farms, where pedigree cattle was imported from abroad. The imortance of the veterinary-sanitary treatment of premises prior to the delivery of breeding livestock was highlighted. Feeding regime of such animals in the summer and winter periods was taken into account. Particular attention was paid to preventive diagnostic studies of imported livestock and local animals in contact with them. For more effective diagnosis, several diagnostic tests were used – from the usual intradermal tuberculin test with PPD tuberculin for mammals – to the palpebral and intravenous tuberculin tests as well as the “booster effect” method. In the diagnosis of tuberculosis, a special role was assigned to the results of autopsy and laboratory studies of biomaterial taken from animals killed for diagnostic purposes. In the complex of diagnostic studies for a final decision on the animal tuberculosis and a general epizootic assessment of the herd for animal tuberculosis, a diagnostic assessment of the intradermal fold of 5 mm and over was proposed. Comprehensive intravital diagnostic measures, post-mortem diagnostics of animals reacting to tuberculin, proper veterinary and sanitary measures in livestock buildings were carried out, contact of animals brought from abroad with local cattle and other domestic animals, as well as poultry, was excluded. Comprehensive measures can reliably prevent and diagnose cases of tuberculosis both in imported and local livestock when placing it in specially prepared livestock buildings.