Contact us if you have a question that is not answered by the FAQs below.
What are endemic diseases?
Endemic diseases are those that exist permanently in a population or region. An example is the common cold in humans. It is possible to eradicate some endemic diseases but the process can be costly in terms of time and resources.
Why are endemic livestock diseases important?
Endemic diseases undermine animal health and welfare. Affected animals are also less productive because they grow more slowly and yield less milk. These effects create costs and difficulties for farmers. In addition, the treatment of endemic diseases may involve antibiotics, which could have implications for human health.
Why do animals get these diseases?
Animals are vulnerable to endemic diseases just as humans are (think of colds, stomach bugs and other common viruses). A number of factors can be involved in disease spread. Livestock may come into contact with infected animals, including wildlife, at home or in transit. People and equipment can also carry germs onto farms. An animal's genetics may also influence susceptibility to infection.
Why BVD and lameness?
Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and lameness are two of the most prevalent diseases in cattle and sheep in the UK today. They differ in terms of their symptoms, how they are managed, and how they can be spread. Using them as case studies allows us to compare and contrast in order to build a better understanding of endemic diseases in general.
What is lameness?
Lameness is a broad term for any abnormal change in how an animal walks. Such changes may be caused by bruising, sores, cuts and/or infections produced by a range of possible factors that include injury, disease, stock management and/or environmental conditions. Ineffective foot trimming and nutrition can contribute, as can standing or walking for too long on hard surfaces. Given the range of potential causes, it may not be possible to eradicate lameness entirely, and there is no single magic bullet to cure it.
What is BVD?
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is a contagious viral disease that predominantly affects cattle. Animals that are exposed to it may become ‘persistently infected’ (PI) and liable to pass the virus on to others. It can be spread from the mother to her unborn calf, via nose-to-nose contact with a carrier animal, or through the semen of infected bulls. BVD can also be spread by farm visitors and equipment contaminated by the virus.
Infection with BVD is not always obvious but signs include:
- Reproductive problems – including abortions
- Secondary diseases - through a compromised immune system, which can also lead to death
- Reduced production - through lower milk yield or a slower growth rate
BVD is not a zoonosis, i.e. it cannot be transferred to humans. Infected animals do not pose a risk to human health, and meat from these animals can safely enter the human food chain.
Read more about the disease on the BVDFree England website.
Will these diseases affect any of the animal products I am likely to eat?
No. These diseases are not zoonotic, i.e. they cannot transfer to humans, so do not present concerns about food safety or human health. Also, there are strict regulations about how long animals must be free of medicines before they can enter the human food chain, to ensure that our food contains no residues.
Concerns about their impact on human health relate to the use of antibiotics, and anti-microbial resistance (AMR). AMR means that drugs that once worked are no longer effective in treating the same disease. This has implications for both human and animal health. Farmers and veterinarians follow Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture RUMA Alliance guidelines, which encourage them to use antibiotics responsibly, i.e. only when an animal is sick. If we can reduce the number of sick animals, we will reduce the use of antibiotics and this will benefit both human and animal health.
Do these diseases occur in specific production systems?
Because there are so many different factors involved, endemic diseases can occur in any system, including indoor, free-range and organic. Some diseases are more common in intensive systems. Others are more likely to be found in outdoor systems, because these are exposed to environmental factors such as wildlife and micro-organisms.
What do these diseases mean for animal welfare?
Whether it causes pain or a general sensation of being unwell, sickness affects an animal's wellbeing.
Why are these diseases still around?
Although there are ways to manage and treat them, the number of different factors involved can make it hard for farmers to do this successfully. Environmental factors, for instance, including the weather, can make these diseases difficult to control.
FIELD is investigating why these diseases continue to be present, and what can be done to reduce them.
Can I contribute to the FIELD project?
We would welcome your ideas, observations and questions. Visit contact us to reach the team.