An outbreak of pasteurellosis was recorded on several livestock farms in Germany

A disease in cattle (pasteurellosis), which kills animals within a very short time after the onset of symptoms, has broken out on several livestock farms in Germany, German news portal Agrarheute reports on July 26.

The disease is caused by the bacterial pathogen Pasteurella multocida, which survives in soil and water for several days. Spread of the pathogen and infection occurs through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly through contaminated feed or watering places. Mostly the infection affects cattle under the age of two years. The disease is not subject to mandatory registration in Germany.

Pasteurellosis is found in regions of Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In the rest of the world, it was considered practically eradicated. In 2013, the disease appeared in Spain.

All domestic and wild ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, buffaloes, zebu, bison, roe deer, red deer, spotted deer and fallow deer), domestic pigs and wild boars are susceptible to the pathogen. However, wild ruminants and the other species mentioned are less frequently and less severely ill than cattle. For humans, the disease is harmless.

In animals, the disease is usually hyperacute or acute: there is a sudden depression, lack of movement and food intake, high fever and profuse salivation. Bloody diarrhoea, nasal bleeding, subcutaneous edema, coughing, and shortness of breath can also occur and usually result in death within 24–48 hours. A slower course or spontaneous recovery is rare.