Mycobacterium avium subsp. The usually fatal disease is characterised by cachexia, and in some species diarrhoea, after a long pre-clinical phase.
Treatment is ineffective and economically impracticable.
The infection primarily affects domestic and free-ranging ruminants, but has also been reported in primates, rabbits, stoats and foxes. Since paratuberculosis is often subclinical, under-reporting is suspected, even though the disease is notifiable in numerous countries. Free-ranging and captive wildlife are also at risk from paratuberculosis.