Botulism in a cattle herd

An outbreak of botulism in a cattle herd in Tyrol is reported. Twenty-one cattle of different sex and age showed clinical signs of illness within ten days. Symptoms observed were weakness, standing with lowered heads, drooling of saliva and stiff gait, Paresis and paralysis were frequent signs in the terminal stage of the disease. All affected cattle were slaughtered or had to be euthanized. Due to case history, clinical symptoms and absence of significant pathological lesions the tentative diagnosis botulism was made. The toxicological examination by means of gaschro-matographic methods confirmed the diagnosis by demonstrating the presence of Clostridium botulinum toxin type C2. As a possible source of infection the feeding of kitchen refuse originating from gastronomy is discussed.