BC Salmonella Dublin Investigation and Management Program (SDIMP)
Salmonella Dublin is a cattle-adapted bacteria that has significant negative impacts to the dairy industry.
Based on submissions to the Animal Health Centre laboratory in BC, there appears to be a significant increase in S. Dublin-positive dairy cattle.
But we don’t understand how or why S. Dublin is circulating, or how many dairy farms are affected in the province.
To answer these questions, the BC S. Dublin Investigation and Management Program (SDIMP) was created. It is an industry-driven surveillance program to help reduce the spread of S. Dublin and improve the health, productivity, and profitability of the BC dairy industry.
What You Should Know
S. Dublin can be a big problem for dairy farms.
The bacteria causes sickness and death in dairy calves, as well as abortions. S. Dublin is really hard to get rid of because adult cattle can carry it for life without showing any signs of illness.
This new program supports dairy producers.
Bulk Tank Milk testing can be used for S. Dublin surveillance
Other tests can be added to further investigate S. Dublin on farm.
Your privacy is our #1 priority. Only you decide what to do with test results.
The Salmonella Dublin Investigation and Management Program (SDIMP) aims to understand how S. Dublin is spread within and among farms. This information will be used to develop resources to help dairy producers and veterinarians to prevent and address S. Dublin.
Cattle infected with S. Dublin produce specific antibodies that can be detected in milk samples. Using this test to screen for S. Dublin within the herd is efficient, rapid, and cost-effective. We aim to screen all BC dairy herds for S. Dublin by testing 4 bulk milk samples per farm over the course of one year.
Blood serology, post mortem examination, and bacterial culture on tissues and feces provide additional information on S. Dublin within a farm. For example, sequencing of bacteria can help us figure out the source(s) of the bacteria on a farm. The program is offering a variety of subsidized S. Dublin tests.
There are no regulatory repercussions for a positive test result. Only producers and the SDIMP team have access to the test results. Individual test results will not be shared with the Milk Marketing Board, BC Dairy Association, Ministry of Agriculture Regulatory Unit, or any other individual or agency. At no time will any personal or identifying information be disclosed. Producers are encouraged share their results with their veterinarian and our program team will provide assistance with test interpretation.