Elimination of severe footrot from the Norwegian sheep population – A progress report

Norway was regarded to be free from footrot until the detection of Dichelobacter nodosus in a flock suffering from severe lameness in 2008. D. nodosus was subsequently shown to be prevalent throughout the country. However, virulent strains were only isolated from sheep in one out of 19 counties. Severe footrot has been diagnoses in a total of 97 sheep flocks. An elimination program was established, based on clinical examination, slaughter of selected animals, foot bathing with zinc sulphate, judicious use of clean pastures and ongoing clinical monitoring, with the aim of eliminating severe footrot. The elimination program has so far been carried out in 35 flocks with severe footrot and preliminary results indicate a success rate of 65–70%. The continued success of the program is important to ensure economic productivity and high standards of animal welfare.