Dimareli-Malli Z., Sarris C.

Paratuberculosis, is a chronic disease with worldwide distribution. Paratuberculosis in sheep and goats has been known to occur in Greece since the middle of nineteen sixties. Since then, the number of flocks, as well as the number of cases reported increased rapidly and the disease has been found in most regions of the country. During the last five years, paratuberculosis has been confirmed in some herds of cattle. Every year the disease results in severe economic losses to the sheep and goats flocks. Husbandry, management and nutrition, through their influence on general herd health can be significant factors in determining prevalence of infection and clinical disease in the herd. Vaccination has proven effective in reducing the number of clinical cases and the number of shedding animals, when combined with appropriate husbandry and sanitation measures. In this paper, a review of the disease is presented (pathogenesis, diagnosis, immunity, control, vaccines and vaccination programmes). Finally, some measures which need to be applied in Greece for the control of the  disease are proposed.