Botulism Outbreak Under Investigation in UK Cattle Herds

Significant losses from suspected botulism have been reported in cattle across Essex, Northamptonshire, and Shropshire. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are investigating, with contaminated feed identified as a likely source. Affected feed has been withdrawn from sale.

Clinical Considerations for Practitioners

Botulism in cattle is caused by ingestion of preformed neurotoxins from Clostridium botulinum. It is not contagious but often occurs as herd outbreaks due to feed or bedding contamination (e.g., spoiled silage, poultry litter, animal carcasses).

Typical clinical signs include:

• Progressive muscular weakness and ataxia

• Dysphagia, tongue paralysis, reduced rumination

• Decreased milk yield

• Recumbency with preserved consciousness

• Death from respiratory paralysis

Differentials to consider: hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, rabies, listeriosis, and plant or chemical intoxications.

Diagnostic Approach

• History of recent feed/silage changes or exposure to poultry litter

• Clinical signs in multiple herd members

• Laboratory confirmation: toxin detection in serum, rumen contents, liver, or feed (specialist testing, often via mouse bioassay or ELISA)

• Postmortem findings are typically nonspecific

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care only — antitoxins are rarely available for large animals and are most effective if given very early.

• Severely affected cattle have a poor prognosis.

• Prevent further cases by immediate feed/bedding withdrawal, restricting access to suspected sources, and reporting to APHA.

Practitioners should maintain a high index of suspicion for botulism in herds presenting with multiple cases of acute, progressive neuromuscular weakness. Early recognition and reporting are critical for herd management and public health protection.