Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
synergy with it via the growth of other saprophytic and toxigenic moulds or
micro-organisms. Growths of moulds should be removed from the pasture.
Humid pastures or pastures surrounded by or containing a stream or river
should be avoided and pastures should be drained. Humidity and water favour
the growth of mould, and production of mycotoxins. Specific soil conditions
and plant cover also favour the emergence of soil-borne clostridial diseases
(Seifert et al. 1996).
Spreading of manure on the pasture should be avoided, since it results in
faecal contamination of the soil with microbial contaminants such as spores of
Clostridia
spp
and this pasture management practice has been identified at risk
(Votion et al. 2009). Faeces should be removed manually from the pasture.
2.3. Preventive Measures Based on Descriptive Data on Atypical
Myopathy
2.3.1. Geographic Zones
Most of western European countries have had cases suffering from AM,
but Belgium (especially the Walloon region), France (especially the north east
regions) and Germany (especially the mid west regions) have known multiple
large outbreaks (Brandt et al. 1997; Delguste et al. 2002; Puyalto-Moussu et
al. 2004; Votion et al. 2007; van Galen et al. 2010). These countries probably
share a similar landscape, flora and management of pastures and horses that
combine multiple risk factors during high risk periods.
2.3.2. Season
High risk seasons are defined as autumn and spring. Winter cases are
mostly cases occurring during early winter just following autumn, or late
winter just before spring. However, cases do not declare every year. Large
case series occur especially during autumns that are significantly warmer than
usual (van Galen et al. 2010). After an outbreak in autumn, some cases can be
expected to occur in the following spring (van Galen et al. 2010). Special
attention is of course warranted during outbreaks regarding climatic conditions
(
see further
).
2.3.3. Climatic Conditions
Specific climatic conditions have been related to the occurrence of AM,
such as a lack of solar radiation, strong wind, rain, thunderstorms and a cool
