### **Salmonella Dublin in Dairy Farms: A Hidden Economic and Health Threat**
A new study from the University of Copenhagen highlights the severe economic and health impacts of **Salmonella Dublin**, a multi-resistant cattle disease, on Danish dairy farms over a decade. While Denmark has reduced infection rates from 20-25% in 2008 to around 5% today, the disease persists despite eradication efforts. Globally, the situation is worsening, with infection rates reaching 18% in the U.S. and 60% in the U.K. Salmonella Dublin poses a serious public health risk, with a human fatality rate of up to 12% and frequent antibiotic resistance. The study emphasizes the need for stronger incentives for farmers to combat the disease, as hidden financial losses—including higher calf mortality, reduced milk yield, and increased veterinary costs—accumulate over time.
### **Economic Consequences and Regulatory Challenges**
The research reveals that even low-level infections result in significant financial losses. A typical Danish dairy farm with 200 cows faces **additional annual costs of around €6,700 ($7,891 USD)**, while highly infected herds lose **€11,300 ($13,307 USD)** per year. Current Danish regulations measure antibodies in milk tanks to determine infection status, but the study argues that the threshold is arbitrary, as economic losses occur even below the official cutoff. The researchers suggest policy changes, such as **subsidies for prevention measures** or **price adjustments for milk from infected herds**, to incentivize farmers to eliminate the disease. They also call for better education on hidden costs and effective control strategies.
Published in *Agricultural Economics*, the study underscores the urgent need for global action against Salmonella Dublin, which threatens both livestock productivity and human health. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, proactive measures are essential to prevent further economic and public health crises.
*Source: University of Copenhagen*
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.futurity.org/salmonella-dublin-cows-3285442-2/.