Epidemiology

Since first being reported in Italy in 1974, this bacterial disease has spread globally. The map below highlights (in orange) those countries in which BDD has been officially reported. BDD is now considered to be a major cause of cattle lameness in the United States and Europe. Please note that BDD surveillance data for many countries is incomplete, and the true prevalence is likely to be much higher.

Studies conducted by our group and others have attempted to define the prevalence of BDD in the UK and worldwide. BDD is now considered to be endemic in a large number of countries supporting domesticated cattle populations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, UK and the US. In addition, case reports of BDD in Egypt, South Africa, Turkey, Chile, Brazil, Canada and New Zealand have also been made. 

Prevelence in the United Kingdom.

In the UK, a 2010 survey of dairy farms in England and Wales identified 79% these farms had reported cases of BDD. A 2013 study by our group found that in Gloucester, the within-herd prevalence of BDD was 0.5% of rearing herds and 21% of finishing herds.

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