We present the keys for the prevention and control of contagious diseases in the XXIII edition of the Sheep FORUM

On June 15, we had the honor of participating, for the second consecutive year, in the opening day of the XXIII edition of the Sheep Forum with a talk focused on the control and prevention of contagious diseases that affect sheep and goat farms. 

The conference was directed by Pablo Núñez, Corporate Brand Manager of Small Ruminants at HIPRA, who introduced the three speakers that made up the conference and who focused their explanations on the three main points for a good control strategy: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and vaccination.

Epidemiology of infectious diseases in the herd or population

Carlos Montbrau, HIPRA R&D Researcher, explains how contagious diseases behave within the herd. To understand its epidemiology, it is very important to know the characteristics of the pathogen and also to take into account environmental factors.

In addition, an effective diagnosis will be crucial to understand the situation of the herd. With these tools we can establish the risk factors and thus it will be possible to design the most convenient control strategies for each case.

Diagnosis: The first step to control infectious diseases

Jaime Maldonado, Senior Manager at HIPRA's Diagnostic Service, tells us about the importance of diagnosis to control infectious diseases. These diseases cause great economic losses, so knowing the causative agent is of vital importance.

On the other hand, it alerts us that in the sheep sector not enough diagnosis is carried out, and that in the near future it will be increasingly necessary. To make this possible, it shows us the best diagnostic methods and techniques available today.

Vaccination: basic tool to control the problem

Miguel Ángel Sanz, Small Ruminants Technician at HIPRA, tells us that vaccination is the key to controlling diseases, since prevention is always the best tool.

Respiratory, abortion and mastitis diseases have a great economic impact on farms, especially when outbreaks occur. It shows us quantitative examples of these economic losses, and how vaccinating animals will significantly reduce these costs.

Our participation in the forum is one more example of the involvement of HIPRA team with the small ruminant sector, as well as of our commitment to work on the prevention and rational use of antibiotics.