JOHNE’S DISEASE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 24 (Supplement)

JOHNE’S DISEASE

THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED. SLOW SPREAD IN VICTORIA. Farmers in Taranaki have shown some concern regarding the possible spread of Johne's (pronounced Yoanies) disease in New Zealand. At meetings of some of the branches of the Farmers' Union in North Taranaki the subject has been discussed, addresses being given by stock division officers, and resolutions have been passed, asking that all possible information should be given to farmers so that the disease may be noted in its earliest stages. A case has been recently reported from the north-exit of Victoria and in an article on the disease appearing in a recent issue of the Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Victoria, Mr. Talbot acting-chief veterinary officer, states that the disease was first detected in Victoria in 1925. It was so named Decause in 1895 the causal organism was described by Professor Johne, Dresden. It is an infectious and incurable disease affecting cattle and sometimes sheep, and is characterised by a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestines, with consequent interference with the digestive processes resulting in an intermittent diarrhoea accompanied by emaciation. The history of the disease is of interest in that from a perusal of early records it becomes apparent that 'prior to Johne’s work in 1895 it was thought to be a manifestation of tuberculosis of the bowel. The two diseases, however, are quite distinct. Johne’s disease is very common in Europe, and in. England the percentage of affected cattle is high. In the United States of America its control and eradication is considered by the Bureau of Animal Industry to be a problem of major importance. to the cattle industry. In Victoria the disease has spread slowly since 1925, and, so far, has been recognised on nine properties in. the State. This spread, in spite of rigid quarantine measures, is possibly due to the fact that it was present in Victoria for. some time prior to’ its first- being noted. LOSS OF APPETITE. There are no. characteristic . symptoms in early cases, but as the disease progresses there, is a temporary loss of appptite, with general • unthrifty appearance. These symptoms are followed by severe diarrhoea, accompanied by loss of condition. The diarrhoea is at first intermittent, recurring at more or less regular intervals, and between attacks the general condition of the beast may show some improvement. In the last stages diarrhoea is constant;. great thirst is exhibited, and soft swellings appear under the jaw arid brisket; the animal finally becomes greatly emaciated and dies from exhaustion, due to superpurgation. It is characteristic of the disease that : an affected pregnant animal may show little clinical evidence of the trouble until she calves, when a rapid loss of condition occurs and death follows quickly. Johne’s disease may be slow in developing after an animal has been exposed to infection. In fact, it is known that this period of incubation may be as