Page 21 - AWA Vol.41-No.4

DAIry FArMING

Cryptosporidium Parvum In Dairy Calves: Global Prevalence,

Economic Impact And return on Investment

ryptosporidium parvum is a pro-
Ctozoan parasite that poses sig-
nificant challenges to the dairy indus-
try worldwide, particularly in young
calves. It significantly impacts both ani-
mal health and farm economics. Stud-
ies by Chen et al. (2023) and Roblin et
al. (2023) have highlighted the global
prevalence of this parasite and quan-
tified the economic losses associated
with cryptosporidiosis in dairy farms.
These studies emphasise the need for
effective management strategies, in-
cluding the use of targeted therapies
like Parofor® Crypto to control the dis-
ease and improve farm profitability.
Global prevalence of Cryptosporid-
ium parvum trol measures that address both animal calves may exhibit poor overall health,
Cryptosporidium parvum is ubiq- health and public safety. leading to reduced milk production, in-
uitous in dairy farming systems, with Economic impact of Cryptosporidi- creased culling rates, and lower lifetime
calves being particularly susceptible um on dairy farms productivity. These long-term impacts
to infection during the first few weeks The economic impact of Cryptospo- further compound the economic burden
of life. The systematic review and me- ridium infections in calves is profound, on dairy operations. Roblin et al. (2023)
ta-analysis conducted by Chen et al. as highlighted by Roblin et al. (2023) in
(2023) offered a detailed examination of emphasised that the cumulative effect of
the prevalence of C. parvum across dif- their study focusing on dairy farms in cryptosporidiosis on herd performance
Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
ferent regions. The study revealed that and farm profitability makes it a critical
the parasite is highly prevalent in dairy Cryptosporidiosis is responsible for issue that requires proactive manage-
calves worldwide, with infection rates substantial financial losses in the dairy ment and intervention strategies.
varying significantly between regions industry, primarily due to its effects on Return on investment calculation
due to differences in farm management calf health, growth and survival. The for cryptosporidiosis treatment with
practices, climate and the intensity of disease leads to increased veterinary
dairy operations. The estimated C. par- costs, including expenses for diagnos- Parofor®
vum prevalence in dairy calves ranged tics, treatments, and supportive care. The economic impact of C. parvum in-
from 13.2% (8.3 - 18.1%) to 30.7% (25.6 Additionally, the reduced growth rate in fections in dairy calves is substantial,
- 35.7%). The estimated pooled preva- infected calves results in delayed wean- as outlined by studies such as those
lence of C. parvum infection in dairy ing and longer finishing times, which by Roblin et al. (2023). Given the high
calves was 21.9% worldwide. directly affect farm profitability. costs associated with veterinary care,
The study found that certain subtypes Roblin et al. (2023) quantified the eco- reduced growth rates, and increased
are more prevalent in specific regions, nomic impact, revealing that farms in mortality in infected calves, implement-
suggesting that local environmental and the study regions experienced signifi- ing effective treatments like Parofor® is
management factors may influence the cant financial losses due to cryptospo-
distribution of these genotypes. ridiosis. The study estimated that the critical for dairy farm profitability.
cost could range from €100 to €150 per Cost-benefit analysis
The high prevalence of C. parvum in
calves is concerning not only because infected calf, depending on the sever- A cost-benefit analysis shows that for
of the immediate health effects on the ity of the infection and the management every €1 spent on Parofor®, dairy farm-
animal but also due to the zoonotic po- practices employed. These costs includ- ers can expect a return of between €5.67
tential of the parasite. Cryptosporidium ed direct expenses related to veteri- to €9.00. This high return on investment
can be transmitted to humans, leading nary care and indirect costs associated highlights the economic viability of us-
to public health risks, particularly in with decreased feed efficiency, lower
communities in close contact with live- weight gain, and increased susceptibil- ing Parofor® as a treatment for crypto-
stock or contaminated water sources. ity to other diseases. sporidiosis in dairy calves, making it
The global distribution of Cryptospo- Moreover, the long-term effects of a cost-effective strategy for mitigating
ridium and its various genotypes un- Cryptosporidium infection in calves the financial impact of this pervasive
derscores the need for targeted con- can extend into adulthood. Infected disease. Circle 24 on enquiry card
Vol. 41 No. 4 19