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The Rural Voice, 1987-01, Page 27The dairy farmer is well advised to find out, by blood -testing his cows, whether they are infected by coxiel- losis. In herds with few reactors (less than 10 per cent), it is more economical to ship these to the slaughterhouse and keep the remainder clean by carefully screening all new animals by blood -testing. Heavily infected herds will require a strategy of stable sanitation to reduce the environmental contamination and avoid the infection of replacement stock. To prevent the spread of the agent during calving, the cow must be isolated at calving time and for four weeks after in a calving pen that can be disinfected. The best disinfectant is chlorine, either as water to which three to five per cent of commercial concentrated bleach (Javex, for instance) is added, or hypochlorite of lime. This mixture kills coxiellas in about five minutes. Other disinfectants (formaline, phenol, etc.) are not effective. Coxiella vaccines for immunizing livestock are being tried out in Europe, where bovine coxiellosis is also on the rise, but no commercial vaccine is available in North America (imports of vaccine from the European continent are not favoured by Agriculture Canada because of the threat of importing foot and mouth disease or similar problems). The sooner we control this "zoonosis" (a disease communicable between man and animals), the better for us all. Further information can be ob- tained from Dr. Lang at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, telephone 519-823-8800, ext. 4730.0 Dr. Gerhard Lang Associate Professor Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology Ontario Veterinary College TRI -BAR FLOORING • Self Supporting • Easy Cleaning • For Sows and Weaners • Adaptable to any In -Barn Situation • Improved Design 4011r, Made in Canada �s DISTRIBUTED BY: MOSES PAR SYSTEMS A DIVISION OF J M MOSES LIMITED R.R. #1, Mitchell, Ontario NOK 1NO 519-348-8483 CANADIAN FARm INTERNATIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW Stop in and pick up your Helm Welding Farm Show Savings • Voucher Our wish to you is one of happiness and health. Much success and pros- perity for 1987. FEB. 3.4.5.6 INTERNATIONAL CENTRE TORONTO HELM WELDING LIMITED UCKNOW, ONTARIO, CANADA PHONE (519) 529-7627 JANUARY 1987 23