Mycoplasma Bovis

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How is it spread?

 Mycoplasma bovis is a ‘silent spreader’, cattle may be infected but not ill. The disease mainly spreads between cows in close contact. Generally prolonged or repeated contact with infected animals is required for the disease to be transmitted. Calves may become infected through drinking un-pasteurised milk from infected cows.

 Mycoplasma bovis is spread off-farm mostly through movement of infected cattle. This disease is not spread across long distances on the wind or in water. Other animals are very unlikely to be infected by the disease.

 Mycoplasma bovis can be spread on any equipment used between farms. Because it causes mastitis, milking equipment is particularly important to clean and disinfect if the equipment is shared between properties or herds.

 It may also be spread through contact with mud or dung from infected animals. Although it is very rare for it to infect animals other than cattle, they may possibly transfer disease from aninfected animal, therefore it is important to keep infected cattle isolated from cattle and other species if possible.

 Mycoplasma bovis does not survive in soil for a long period. Properly made silage with a pH of 4.5 or below and wrapped correctly is not a risk for transmission of Mycoplasma bovis. Silage can be tested to ensure it has reached this standard.

 For adult cattle, spread through feed is not thought to be a risk. Feeding calves unpasteurised milk is a cause of spread in countries where this disease is established



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