7 dec '09

The experts' advice by the RIVM (Institute for Public health and Environment) (rivm_and_cvi_reports_on_q-fever_dec09) advises the Ministry of Agriculture in order to control Q-fever to cull all pregnant goats on farms infected with Q fever. This appears to be the opinion that the RIVM to the Ministry of Agriculture. The measure should be applied to farms where the results of tank milk sampling (PCR-testing) repeatedly demonstrate Q-fever infection.

The expert consultation believes that the culling should be a one-off measure before the lambing or any abortions take place. "Obviously one cannot avoid culling non-infected pregnant goats", says the RIVM. [tank milk sampling is bulk sampling, so it does not indicate how many animals are infected or which ones]
The organisation indicates that a distinction may be made between vaccinated and unvaccinated farms. "For ‘non-vaccinated farms’ the above strategy is the only way to reduce excretion substantially in 2010", said the RIVM. "The ‘vaccinated farms’ the above strategy can be used as additional reducing measure, because here the excretion has already been reduced with vaccination."

In addition one recommends to continue the vaccination strategy and temporarily prohibit the expansion of goat farms. The expert consultation ream consists of both public health and veterinary experts. The ministries of Agriculture and Public health will decide this week on the approach of Q-fever.
The experts’ advice discusses eight control strategies.

source: Agricultural Journal