References
Iceberg diseases in uk goats
Abstract
Iceberg diseases are recognised across ruminant species, and their impact on individual animal health and welfare, and their economic impact at herd or flock level should not be underestimated. This group of diseases are characterised by the variety of stages of infection present when disease is established from clinically obvious cases (the ‘tip’ of the iceberg) through differing stages of early clinical disease to those infected yet clinically healthy. This article will explore iceberg diseases that can be identified in goats whether kept for profit, hobby, or pleasure.
The term ‘iceberg disease’ is now widely used across the ruminant sector. The term itself describes a disease condition identified within a defined population in which for every visible clinical case (the ‘tip’ of the iceberg), there are many others that are either early unrecognised clinical cases, sub-clinically infected or latent carrier animals. In practical terms, when clinical disease is first confirmed, the disease itself is likely to be well established, making control measures problematic, and biosecurity measures imperative. Other general considerations include:
The important diseases in goats include caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE), Johne's disease and caseous lymphadenitis (CLA).
Lentivirus is a genus of retroviruses in the family Retroviridae, that causes a group of slowly developing insidious conditions such as CAE and maedi visna (MV) of sheep, the two diseases often referred to collectively as small ruminant lentivirus (SLRV). Although the two viruses cause different clinical presentations in their respective host species, cross species infection can occasionally occur (Shah et al, 2004), and is an important factor in CAE control programmes.
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