The occurrence of summer mastitis in Jutland (Denmark) in relation to meteorological factors |
| |
| Authors: | J E Olesen S A Nielsen J W Hansen P Nansen |
| |
| Institution: | 1.Agrometeorologioal Service, Danish Research Service for Plant and Soil Science, Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 25, Ørum Sønderlyng, DK-8833 Denmark ;2.Zoological Laboratory, University of Århus, Århus, Denmark ;3.Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| |
| Abstract: | Data for incidence of summer mastitis in 14 veterinary practices in Jutland (Denmark) were related to meteorological factors using statistical methods. A correlation and regression analysis showed that summer mastitis occurred earlier in years with high temperature and precipitation in early summer. The annual number of cases markedly increased over the years 1953 to 1980. This increase was described by applying a linear increase with with year to a logarithmic transformation of the annual incidence.Analysis of 10-day incidences from the veterinary practices and daily incidence from a test site at St. Vildmose (Jutland) showed that incidence of summer mastitis could be related to temperature and wind velocity within the previous 10 days. High temperature and low wind velocity in this period increase the incidence. This indicates that the incubation period of summer mastitis is at maximum about 10 days. The activity of the fly (Hydrotaea irritans Fall), which acts as mechanical vector for the bacteria is influenced by temperature and wind velocity. This may explain the variation in incidence of summer mastitis during the season and from year to year. |
| |
| Keywords: | summer mastitis incidence insect vector temperature wind velocity |
|
|
