Progress in Paratuberculosis Control Programmes for Dairy Herds.

While paratuberculosis control has been studied for over a century, knowledge gaps still exist regarding the uptake and efficacy of control programmes. This narrative review aims to summarise studies on control programmes presented at the IDF ParaTB Fora in 2021 and 2022 and the International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis in 2022. Studies were grouped by topic as follows: successful control, field studies, education and extension, voluntary and compulsory control programmes, and surveillance. Various Map control programmes resulted in a decreasing animal and herd level Map prevalence. Long-term stakeholder commitment, stable funding, involvement of herd veterinarians and incentives for farmers to participate were shown to be pivotal for long-term success. Control measures focused on vertical and calf-to-calf transmission may improve Map control in infected herds. Easy-to-capture visualisation of surveillance test results to inform participants on the progress of Map control in their herds was developed. The probability of freedom from disease and estimated within-herd prevalence were identified as good candidates for categorisation of herds to support low-risk trade of cattle. Results of the surveillance schemes may inform genetic selection for resistance to Map infection. In conclusion, successful paratuberculosis control is feasible at both the herd and country level provided that crucial prerequisites are met.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

M.F.W. was involved in the design of the Dutch milk quality assurance programme for paratuberculosis and is employed by Royal GD, Deventer, the Netherlands, which is the organisation that runs this programme. D.K. Chairs the International Dairy Federation Standing Committee on Animal Health and Welfare and the Paratuberculosis Action Team and was the primary organizer of the ParaTB Fora cited in this manuscript. K.D. was involved in the design of the Thuringian paratuberculosis control programme and is employed by the Thuringian Animal Disease Fund, the Animal Health Service which organises this programme. S.W.F.E. was involved in the development of the Map-prevalence-reduction-programme of Lower Saxony and is employed by the Animal Disease Fund of Lower Saxony, which coordinates the Map control programme of Lower Saxony.