New veterinary regulations for goat arthritis-encephalitis developed

New veterinary rules for goat arthritis-encephalitis (AEC) have been prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. it is planned that the document will come into force on September 1, 2022.

The new veterinary rules contain measures for the implementation of preventive, diagnostic, restrictive and other measures, the establishment and lifting of quarantine and other restrictions aimed at preventing the spread and eliminating foci of goat arthritis-encephalitis.

Arthritis-encephalitis of goats (AEC) is a disease characterized by the development of demyelinating encephalitis, progressive arthritis and interstitial pneumonia.

The virus belongs to the Retroviridae family and is similar to the sheep Wisna-maedi virus. The disease widely affects kids at the age of 1-5 months, manifested by ataxia, hyperesthesia, fever, progressive paresis of the limbs, developing into paralysis. AEC is transmitted with MILK not only to kids, but also to lambs. The course of the disease is several weeks, the outcome is fatal.

The laboratory for the diagnosis of ASF (African swine fever) and other especially dangerous animal diseases of the Rostov Reference Center of ROSSELKHOZNADZOR conducts research to determine antibodies to the causative agent of sheep arthritis-encephalitis.