Aetiology Calf pneumonia (enzootic pneumonia / bovine respiratory disease complex) develops when several factors overlap: respiratory pathogens, reduced immunity, and environmental or management stress. Young calves are especially at risk during the first weeks and months of life. The main…

Accurate diagnosis and effective control have been central to the success of Aujeszky’s disease eradication programmes in many countries. The virus’s ability to establish latent infection makes long-term surveillance essential, even in regions officially declared free of the disease. Diagnosis…

Aetiology / Cause Navel ill (omphalitis) and joint ill (septic arthritis) are bacterial infections typically acquired soon after birth through the unhealed umbilical cord. Pathogens such as E. coli, Trueperella pyogenes, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and occasionally Salmonella spp. are…

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) spreads rapidly within and between flocks, often appearing suddenly despite routine biosecurity. Its short incubation period and high contagion rate make it one of the most challenging respiratory pathogens to contain once introduced. Understanding how it moves…

Introduction Sporadic cases of enterotoxaemia caused by Clostridium perfringens type A are occasionally reported in calves, often associated with abomasitis, abomasal bloat, or ulceration. Although the bacterium is widely present in the intestinal tract, its role in disease appears to…

Aujeszky’s disease, also known as pseudorabies, is a contagious viral infection caused by Suid herpesvirus 1. First identified by Aladár Aujeszky in 1902, the virus primarily affects pigs, which serve as its natural host, although a range of other mammals…

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) remains a leading viral cause of respiratory disease in turkeys and chickens. First recognised in turkeys in South Africa during the late 1970s and in Europe a few years later, it is now widespread across most poultry-producing…

Diagnosis Diagnosis of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxaemia is often based on the combination of clinical signs, history and post-mortem findings. Laboratory confirmation can be difficult, as C. perfringens is commonly found in the intestines of healthy animals. In acute cases, samples…

The complex and ever-changing nature of the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus makes diagnosis, prevention, and long-term control particularly challenging. Despite major research investment, no single strategy has yet provided consistent global success. Diagnosis Accurate diagnosis relies on…

After almost a century of control, Newcastle disease remains one of the most persistent viral challenges in poultry production. Its resilience lies in the combination of a highly adaptable virus, dense global trade networks and the varied capacities of national…

Enterotoxaemia caused by Clostridium perfringens type C is a rapidly progressive and often fatal disease in dairy calves. Although losses can occur in animals up to three months of age, it is most frequently seen in neonates. Other C. perfringens…

Controlling Newcastle disease demands a dual approach: preventing virus introduction and reducing its impact when it does appear. Although the tools for both have existed for decades, their success depends on consistency, surveillance and the willingness to adapt as production…

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) presents one of the most complex disease challenges in modern pig production, combining subtle immunological effects with wide variability in clinical signs. Understanding its pathogenesis is essential to interpreting outbreaks and planning effective control…

Accurate diagnosis underpins all Newcastle disease control. Its clinical presentation can mimic several other major poultry diseases, including avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, and avian metapneumovirus infection. Differentiation is therefore critical, not only for rapid response but also for maintaining national…

Newcastle disease remains one of the most variable and unpredictable viral infections in poultry. The same virus family can cause little more than mild respiratory irritation in one flock and devastating losses in another. These differences reflect both the virulence…