Botulism most likely cause of 100 Jersey cows deaths

Test results from feed samples taken on a dairy farm in Jersey where 100 cows died suddenly last December suggest botulism as the most likely cause of death.

Over just a few days, 100 Jersey breed cows, which were part of the main milking herd at Woodlands Farm near St Helier on the island, fell ill and died, while the young stock and dry cows were unaffected.

See also: Heartbreak as 100 dairy cattle die within days on Jersey farm

Jersey island’s chief veterinary officer Susana Ramos said botulism from contaminated feed had been suspected as the main cause throughout the investigation, and initial results seem to confirm this.

Although government-commissioned tests on the cattle feed have found no toxins present, toxin-producing bacteria were cultured from samples.

Ms Ramos, said: “Botulism is notoriously hard to test for, and diagnosis is often based primarily on the clinical signs and by ruling out other possible causes.

“Despite no toxin being found, there was the presence of bacterial spores, and we believe that these results, coupled with the exclusion of notifiable diseases, and the signs reported at the time at the farm, all combine to suggest botulism as the most likely cause of death.”

All the dead cattle were disposed of at the animal carcass incinerator on the island and did not enter the food chain.

Milk from the affected herd was also destroyed at the time.