Cattle infected with Johne's Disease, caused by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, have diarrhea and chronic weight loss.
Infection usually occurs in calves shortly after birth.
Calves are infected by ingesting fecal matter, colostrum or waste milk containing the bacteria. However, symptoms usually don't occur until the animal is three years old or older. Infected animals may shed the bacteria in their feces, contaminating the soil for many months prior to exhibiting any clinical symptoms. Economic losses result from decreased milk production in infected cattle, early culling and decreased slaughter prices. Protect herd health and productivity by minimizing the risk of the disease.