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Research article2013Peer reviewedOpen access

Management of Animal Botulism Outbreaks: From Clinical Suspicion to Practical Countermeasures to Prevent or Minimize Outbreaks

Anniballi, Fabrizio; Skarin, Hanna; Olsson, Engvall Eva; De Medici, Dario

Abstract

Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disease that affects humans, all warm-blooded animals, and some fishes. The disease is caused by exposure to toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum and other botulinum toxin-producing clostridia. Botulism in animals represents a severe environmental and economic concern because of its high mortality rate. Moreover, meat or other products from affected animals entering the food chain may result in a public health problem. To this end, early diagnosis is crucial to define and apply appropriate veterinary public health measures. Clinical diagnosis is based on clinical findings eliminating other causes of neuromuscular disorders and on the absence of internal lesions observed during postmortem examination. Since clinical signs alone are often insufficient to make a definitive diagnosis, laboratory confirmation is required. Botulinum antitoxin administration and supportive therapies are used to treat sick animals. Once the diagnosis has been made, euthanasia is frequently advisable. Vaccine administration is subject to health authorities' permission, and it is restricted to a small number of animal species. Several measures can be adopted to prevent or minimize outbreaks. In this article we outline all phases of management of animal botulism outbreaks occurring in wet wild birds, poultry, cattle, horses, and fur farm animals.

Published in

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science
2013, Volume: 11, number: Suppl. 1, pages: S191-S199
Publisher: MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC

      SLU Authors

      • Sustainable Development Goals

      Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
      Pharmacology and Toxicology

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/bsp.2012.0089

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/68288