Disease Incidence and Epidemiology — The Situation in the U.K.

Abstract

Death rate in beef units recorded by the Meat and Livestock Commission (1970–74) averaged 6.2%. The rate in the first 3 months of life was 4.6% and in the period 3 months of age to slaughter was 1.9%.

In the period 1970–77 enzootic pneumonia accounted for 50% of 448 deaths recorded on a variety of different farms throughout the UK amongst over 8 000 animals (overall death rate 5.5%). Between 22 and 52% of 5 989 animals were treated for enzootic pneumonia. Treatment for this disease was associated with up to 2.6% reduction in liveweight gain on one farm during 1970–72.

Abbatoir returns during 1976 show that 5.5% of 109 449 animals had pneumonic lesions at slaughter. In a survey of 935 animals routinely slaughtered from one farm, 11% were found to have significant lesions at slaughter and the majority of these lesions were a ‘cuffing’ pneumonia. This lesion was associated with up to 7.2% reduction in liveweight gain. A significant correlation was found between the incidence of enzootic pneumonia during life and ‘cuffing’ pneumonia at slaughter in these cattle (p < 0.01).

Other respiratory disease syndromes are confined largely to cattle over 3 months of age. Overall death rate in this age range (1970–74) is quoted above as 1.9%. No absolute figures are available on the incidence of the individual diseases.

The national cost to beef producers in 1976 of death from enzootic pneumonia may be estimated to be £4.8m.

Both Season and age may be seen to influence the incidence of enzootic pneumonia during 7 years on a large beef rearing farm.