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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #170660

Title: A SURVEY OF VETERINARIANS AND PRODUCERS ON MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM SUBSPECIES PARATUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN CATTLE IN IOWA

Author
item Robbe Austerman, Suelee
item THOMPSON, JOHN - UNIV OF MS
item PENCE, MELVIN - UNIV OF GA
item SMITH, PAM - IA DEPT AG & LAND STWDSHP

Submitted to: International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/21/2004
Publication Date: 1/20/2005
Citation: Robbe Austerman, S., Thompson, J.U., Pence, M., Smith, P. 2005. A survey of veterinarians and producers on mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in cattle in iowa. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine. 2(4):235-251.

Interpretive Summary: Iowa veterinarians and producers were surveyed about Johne's disease education, control programs, Iowa's vaccination program, and management strategies. Eighty two percent of veterinarians felt they needed more information about Johne's disease. Producers received most of their information from publications and their local veterinarians. Twenty one percent of veterinarians and 27% of producers had used the Johne's disease vaccine. Most of these veterinarians (81%) and producers (75%) felt the vaccination was effective. Nearly half of veterinarians (48%), but only 23% of producers felt Johne's disease should be quarantinable. Fifty nine percent of veterinarians but only 19% of producers were supportive of a federal control program that had an initial voluntary program then reverted to a mandatory program. Producers were more supportive (39%) of a wholly voluntary program and 86% wanted the cattle industry to address Johne's disease

Technical Abstract: Objective: To determine veterinarians' 1) educational needs for Johne's disease; 2) their use and interpretation of diagnostic tests; 3) control programs recommended; and 4) potential support for a federal program. To determine dairy and beef producer's 1) knowledge of Johne's disease; 2) control strategies implemented; and 3) potential support for a federal program. Design: A cross-sectional survey with a separate survey instrument for producers and veterinarians. Survey Population: All Iowa cattle veterinarians and all producers who were reported to the State Veterinarian with at least one positive diagnostic tests with in the last 5 years. Procedure: The veterinary survey was hand delivered by state and federal veterinarians. The producer survey was mailed with a reminder sent 10 later followed by a second survey to non-responders. Results: 277 of 450 (62%) veterinarians and 296 of 542 (55%) producers returned the survey. Eighty-two percent of veterinarians felt they needed more information about Johne's disease. Twenty seven percent of veterinarians had producers request they avoid definitively diagnosing Johne's disease and 16% had recommended that producers avoid obtaining a definitive diagnosis. Twenty one percent of veterinarians and 27% of producers had used the Johne's disease vaccine. Of these, 81% of veterinarians and 75% of producers indicated it is effective. Forty eight percent of veterinarians and 23% of producers want Johne's disease to be quarantinable. When asked if they supported a proposed federal Johne's disease control program with a four-year voluntary period followed by mandatory enrollment 59% of veterinarians and 19% of producers agreed. Six percent of veterinarians and 39% of producers wanted a voluntary program. Seven percent of veterinarians and 6% of producers wanted a mandatory program, while 15% of veterinarians and 16% of producers favored a voluntary period longer than four years. Four percent of veterinarians and 12% of producers did not want any program.