Persistently high levels of cryptosporidiosis in calves¹, increasing antibiotic sales², and concerns over possible resistance³ are reinforcing calls for greater focus on prevention-led disease control and antimicrobial stewardship in youngstock systems.
According to the Government’s latest Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis (VIDA) report¹, cryptosporidiosis remains the second most common bovine diagnosis and the leading enteric pathogen in neonatal and pre-weaned calves.
Sales data also show that use of the antibiotic paromomycin², licensed for the reduction in the occurrence of diarrhoea due to diagnosed C. parvum, has more than doubled over five years—from 96kg to 233kg, a 143% increase—reflecting sustained disease pressure in youngstock.
The rise in cases and antibiotic sales comes at a time when concerns have been raised about increasing paromomycin resistance in young calves³, with experts warning that routine or widespread use may increase selection pressure and contribute to resistance development.
Dr Kat Baxter-Smith, veterinary adviser at MSD Animal Health, said the trends are worrying and reinforce the need for prevention-led disease control to safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics in the future.
“Management of cryptosporidiosis requires a multi-pronged approach, as there is no silver bullet for its control. MSD has developed a Five-Point Plan for Cryptosporidiosis Control that focuses on stopping the spread of the microscopic parasite Cryptosporidium by focusing on diagnosis, colostrum management, environment and management, prevention, and treatment.
“The Five-Point Plan for Cryptosporidiosis Control is a good starting point to help farmers and their vets identify the areas that need attention, whether that’s improving colostrum management, changing or fine-tuning hygiene routines, prevention through vaccination, or implementing appropriate treatment protocols when infection pressure is high. Successful control depends on addressing each of those areas together,” she said.
A vaccine, Bovilis Cryptium®, is now available to help protect calves against disease caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. The vaccine is administered to the dam during the third trimester and works by stimulating antibody production in the dam, which is transferred via colostrum and transition milk, helping to reduce clinical signs in early life when calves are most vulnerable. Colostrum and transition milk from vaccinated animals should be fed for five days for maximum benefit.
Dr Baxter-Smith added: “The vaccine is just one part of the Five-Point Plan for Cryptosporidiosis Control and when used alongside other elements of the plan, has been shown to help reduce disease impact in young calves, which can then help reduce reliance on antibiotics during the highest-risk period.
“Every case of diarrhoea that can be prevented is potentially one less calf requiring treatment. Prevention isn’t just good for calf health; it also helps protect the effectiveness of antibiotics for the future and saves money and time. If we are serious about improving calf health and tackling antimicrobial resistance, preventative management must remain the foundation of every herd health strategy.”
The news comes at a time when greater industry focus is being placed on antibiotic use in ruminants, with work underway to develop a UK Ruminant Antibiotic Stewardship Roadmap, which will influence how data is collected on antimicrobial resistance, how it is reported, and how progress is demonstrated across the country. The roadmap is expected to be launched later this year.
