AFBI Cattle Health Scheme - Control of Johne’s disease in cattle

Disease background

Johne’s disease (or paratuberculosis) is a common infectious disease of cattle caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (or MAP for short). Infection normally leads to chronic weight loss, diarrhoea and other symptoms such as reduced fertility and milk yield. Disease typically progresses to death. Currently there are no effective treatments available for diseased animals. A vaccine is available but is of limited use.