10/15/2021: 

The Dutch Leptospira Hardjo (L. Hardjo) control programme was established to prevent veterinary and human cases of leptospirosis. All dairy farms and 33% of non-dairy farms took part in the programme. It is based on antibody testing of serum and bulk milk. In 2013, the herd prevalence in non-dairy herds was very low, at 0.8%, while all dairy herds were free. If an infection is suspected, farms lose their free status, which impedes the trading of animals. Therefore, national trade is considered to be a limited risk for the spread of L. Hardjo. In 2019, the numbers of imported cattle, and also of L. Hardjo seropositive imported cattle, improved. This case study describes the spread of leptospirosis in dairy herds after the importation of L. Hardjo seropositive cattle and measures that were undertaken to stop the spread of infections and to monitor infected farms to prevent further spread.

This case has been researched by Marian Aalberts, Katrien van den Brink, Kristel van den Heuvel & Linda van Wuijckhuise.

Read more about our expert Katrien van den Brink