Botulism confirmed as cause of mass goat deaths in Yeoncheon-gun on Aug. 20

The Gyeonggi Province Northern Animal Health Laboratory has confirmed that botulism caused a mass die-off at a goat farm in Yeoncheon-gun on Aug. 20, and is urging livestock farmers across the province to take precautions.

The laboratory said it received a report from the farm that more than 10 previously healthy goats had suddenly died, and subsequent toxin testing and other detailed examinations confirmed the presence of botulinum toxin. Of the 60 goats kept at the farm, 49 were confirmed to have died from botulism.

Botulism is a toxic disease caused when animals ingest feed or water contaminated with neurotoxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is not classified as a livestock contagious disease, but depending on the amount of toxin consumed, symptoms can range from inability to stand to paralysis. In high-dose cases, animals may die before any obvious symptoms appear.

The disease was first detected in cattle in 1999. Between 2011 and 2012, a large-scale outbreak struck more than 20 farms in the Pocheon and Yeoncheon-gun areas of Gyeonggi Province, killing more than 400 head of cattle. Cases have occurred sporadically since then.

Botulism can occur in all four seasons, but the risk rises significantly during hot, humid summers with prolonged rainfall. Spoiled or decomposed feed stored in enclosed spaces, contaminated water and animal carcasses are among the main risk factors.

Choi Ok-bong, director of the Gyeonggi Province Northern Animal Health Laboratory, said contamination and spoilage can occur even with regularly used feed, depending on storage conditions and changes in temperature and humidity. "Keeping the barn environment clean is the single most important step," she said, adding that Gyeonggi Province provides botulism prevention vaccines and that cattle and goat farms with a history of outbreaks or at elevated risk should vaccinate their animals every year.

The Gyeonggi Province Northern Animal Health Laboratory made the country's first diagnosis of botulism in goats in September 2024.


pjh@heraldcorp.com