There are three basic components of the Iowa Johne’s Disease Voluntary Control Program:
1. Education: Provides for education of producers and veterinarians about Johne’s disease and risks of Johne’s - Awareness is key!
2. Management: Establishes an individualized management plan for each operation to minimize risks of contracting or spreading Johne’s disease. An “on-site” RISK ASSESSMENT (walk-through) evaluation of producer’s operation is the initial step in determining Johne’s exposure and to develop a HERD MANAGEMENT PLAN and testing and/or vaccination strategies.
Participation is VOLUNTARY:
Test Results are CONFIDENTIAL within limits of Iowa law
INCENTIVE ELEMENT OF THE PROGRAM:
1st Step: Complete a FREE Johne’s Risk Assessment/herd management plan
2nd Step: If TESTING is desired, the State District veterinarian will work with you and your veterinarian for the appropriate testing options for your operation which may include blood (ELISA) tests, fecal culture, fecal PCR and fecal pooling and environmental sampling.
The testing may help place your herd on track for enrollment into the Johne’s Herd Status Program:
Test-Negative Herds - Annual testing moves the herd toward a
recognized higher status level (lower risk for Johne’s prevalence
Managed or Monitored Herds - May advance in the Program by showing improvement in annual testing, with the goal of reducing/eliminatin Johne’s in the herd.
