The battle against Salmonella Dublin in cattle

Salmonella Dublin is the ”cattle’s salmonella”, i.e. the type of salmonella most common in cattle and not often seen in other animal species.

The plan to control Salmonella Dubli in cattle
In 2007, the cattle industry launched a plan to exterminate Salmonella Dublin in the Danish livestock before the end of 2014. In 2009, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has made a new plan of action to support the industry’s initiatives.

Observation of Salmonella Dublin
Since 2002 Salmonella Dublin in livestock has been under observation. The observation program divides all livestock in a Salmonella Dublin level (level 1, 2 or 3) depending on how likely it is that the bacterium is present. The level can be seen in the CHR-register, where every farmer can prevent the bacterium entering his livestock via animal trade (vectors) or by other contact with infected livestock.

Observation has changed the trade of cattle, as almost all livestock that are probably salmonella-free are now buying animals from other salmonella-free livestock. The spread of Salmonella Dublin among cattle livestock often occurs when trading healthy animals that are infected.

Special slaughtering of animals
Livestock infected by Salmonella Dublin has to be slaughtered in a special way, as the animals constitute a temporary risk of transferring the bacterium to the abattoir. The special slaughtering reduces the risk of transferring the bacterium to the meat.

The infection in humans and animals
Salmonella Dublin can infect both humans and animals. Each year about 20-30 people are infected with Salmonella Dublin. If you are sick with Salmonella Dublin, the consequences may be severe: you can suffer from long-term and uncomfortable implications in e.g. bones and segments.
Salmonella Dublin affects above all calves up to the age of three months. But older calves and grown animals can also be infected. Diseases in animals often start as pneumonia with fever. Later symptoms are diarrhoea and segment infection. Sudden death also occurs. Grown cattle get diarrhoea and fever and they may miscarry. A livestock may be infected with the bacterium even though there are no signs of illness.