Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
Disease Name:-Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
Species affected: Bovine
About disease:
Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) is a major disease of cattle and buffaloes characterised by an
acute, highly fatal septicaemia with high morbidity and mortality. P. multocida is transmitted by
ingestion or inhalation, either during direct contact or via fomites such as contaminated feed and
water.
Animals affected:
Hemorrhagic septicemia has also been reported in bison (Bison bison), African buffalo
(Syncerus caffer), camels, elephants, horses, donkeys and yaks.
Cause:
The disease is caused by Pasteurella multocida organism of serotypes B2 and E2. It is a gram
negative coccoid, short rod or filamentous shaped organism. It does not produce exotoxin.
Symptoms:
Most cases are acute or per-acute, resulting in death within 8-24 hr after onset. Because
the course is so short, clinical signs may easily be overlooked. Animals first evince dullness, then
reluctance to move, fever, salivation, and serous nasal discharge. Edematous swelling is
frequently seen, beginning in the throat region and spreading to the parotid region, neck, and
brisket. Mucous membranes are congested. There is respiratory distress, and usually the animal
goes down and dies within hours. Occasional cases linger for several days. Recovery is rare.
There appears to be no chronic form.
Control and Management:
Hemorrhagic septicemia can be controlled by the following measures:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Quarantines
Movement controls
Tracing of contacts
Euthanasia of infected and exposed animals, and
5. Cleaning and disinfection of the premises. P. multocida is susceptible to most common
disinfectants, as well as to mild heat (55°C/131°F).
Vaccines:
The principal means of prevention is by vaccination. Three kinds of vaccine are widely used:
plain bacterin, alum-type precipitated bacterin, and oil-adjuvant bacterin.
The most effective bacterin is the oil-adjuvant—one dose provides protection for 9-12
months ; it should be administered annually.
The alum-precipitated-type bacterin is given at 6-months intervals. Maternal antibody
interferes with vaccine efficacy in calves.
The oil-adjuvant vaccine has not been popular because of difficulty in syringing and
occasional adverse tissue reactions.
Meteorological Occurrence:
Higher incidence of HS is associated with moist, humid conditions, high buffalo population density,
and extensive free grazing system of management, where large herds graze freely in common
pastures and are paddocked together at night.