How to cite this article: Vet. Res. (2008) 39:61
DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2008038

The risk and control of Salmonella outbreaks in calf-raising operations: a mathematical modeling approach

Cristina Lanzas, Lorin D. Warnick, Renata Ivanek, Patrick Ayscue, Daryl V. Nydam and Yrjo T. Gröhn

Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Received 20 April 2008; accepted 3 September 2008; published online 9 September 2008

Abstract - Salmonellosis in calves has economic and welfare implications, and serves as a potential source of human infections. Our objectives were to assess the risk of Salmonella spread following its introduction into a herd of pre-weaned calves and to evaluate the efficacy of control strategies to prevent and control outbreaks. To meet these objectives, we developed a model of Salmonella transmission within a pre-weaned group of calves based on a well documented outbreak of salmonellosis in a calf-raising operation and other literature. Intervention scenarios were evaluated in both deterministic and stochastic versions of the model. While the basic reproduction number (R₀) was estimated to be 2.4, simulation analysis showed that more than 60% of the invasions failed after the introduction of a single index case. With repeated introduction of index cases, the probability of Salmonella spread was close to 1, and the tested control strategies were insufficient to prevent transmission within the group. The most effective strategies to control ongoing outbreaks were to completely close the rearing operation to incoming calves, to increase the proportion of admitted calves that were immunized (>75%), and to assign personnel and equipment to groups of calves.

Key words: calf / Salmonella / transmission model / control

Corresponding author: cl272@cornell.edu

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2008