The Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation has developed new rules for the fight against leptospirosis

For the prevention of leptospirosis, the new veterinary rules, in particular, prescribe that susceptible animals from different herds should not be mixed during grazing or watering. It is also necessary to carry out deratization of livestock premises and feed storage areas.

Also, for prevention, the rules oblige to conduct scheduled serological studies of susceptible animals. The document specifies the frequency of research for different animal species. So, cows, heifers, sheep and goats, sows, mares, as well as dogs kept in kennels, according to these rules, must be checked for leptospirosis once a year.

According to the new standards, susceptible animals entering the farm should be kept in quarantine for 30 days. In addition, to prevent leptospirosis, it is necessary to vaccinate susceptible livestock. The document prescribes the procedure for sampling for the diagnosis of leptospirosis and research methods.

It is reported that when the diagnosis is confirmed, quarantine is introduced, an epizootic focus and an unfavorable point are determined. The draft spelled out the criteria for their definition and limitation, as well as measures to eliminate the infection. The exact period of quarantine is not defined by the new rules. Removal of restrictions will depend on the type of farm, research and other activities.

At the same time, the rules imply regular monitoring - sampling from 10% of the livestock in complexes of more than 100 heads and head testing in case of 100 or less heads every year. If high antibody titers are found in 20% of animals, then the farm becomes “suspicious” and until the presence of the disease is confirmed or denied, the export of products from it, the movement of animals and other actions are impossible. The risk of detection of antibodies in excess quantities in vaccinated animals is removed by compliance with the requirements for sampling (keeping the deadlines without sampling after vaccination, for cattle it is 90 days).

It is planned that the new veterinary rules will come into force on March 1, 2024 and will be valid until March 1, 2030.