Dealing with botulism

Botulism, also called lamsiekte, is a disease of cattle, goats and sheep. It paralyses the muscles of animals so that it is difficult for them to get up or walk. Proper management can help prevent the disease.

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Botulism is a potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In humans, the disease begins with weakness and blurred vision, and trouble speaking, says Jeremy Sobel in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

“This may then be followed by weakness of the arms and chest muscles, and vomiting. Swelling of the abdomen and diarrhoea may also occur.”

When it comes to livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, hares, rats and tortoises, the poison spreads in the flesh and bones of the carcasses and can remain in the bones for years.

C. botulinum lives in the upper layers of the soil. From the soil it spreads to dead animals, standing pools of water containing rotting plants or animals, and hay or silage. Here it forms its poison. The bacterium needs moisture, warmth and a lack of air to make the poison.