Cows are expected to get better after Salmonella outbreak

Three cows that were struck down by an outbreak of Salmonella that killed two other animals are ‘improving by the day’.

The heifers are continuing to receive around the clock medication and care at the Spittal Pond farm.

And dairy famer, Harry Kromer, is hopeful that they will make a full recovery.

Mr Kromer, whose father Harry Kromer Senior owns the dairy herd, said: “They are not 100 per cent yet.

“But they are getting better by the day.

“They are still being given medication to help rehydrate them, but this will take time.

“The vet is still visiting them twice a day and doing what needs to be done.

“All the other animals are fine.”

The five affected cows were part of herd of 10 new cows that arrived from Pennsylvania last month to provide fresh blood to the Kromer herd.

The new animals had been kept in isolation, so there is no risk to the rest of the herd or the public milk supply.

A leading world expert on Salmonella told the Bermuda Sun that it was rare for the bacteria to have fatal consequences for cows.

Dr Aaron White said: “This case shows how important it is for new animals to be kept separate from the herd when they arrive.” Dr White, a research scientist for the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organisation (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan has spent the last 15 years studying Salmonella.

He added: “It seems that the appropriate response has been followed by the farm.

“The only danger would have if the new cows had been put together with the dairy herd and shed the Salmonella on to another animal.

“All it takes is for the illness to shed onto the hay or feed and another animal can become infected.

“If they have been isolated properly there should be no concerns.”