Livestock veterinarians across the United Kingdom are encouraging sheep and cattle producers to strengthen preventive health measures during the summer months to reduce the risk of infectious abortions, a major cause of reproductive losses and economic damage on livestock farms.
Veterinary experts say that early disease surveillance, targeted vaccination programmes and improved flock and herd management remain the most effective ways to minimise abortion outbreaks before the autumn breeding season and the following year’s lambing and calving periods. They also stress that investigating every abortion event is essential to identify the underlying cause and prevent further losses.
Livestock Abortions Can Have Major Economic Consequences
Abortions in sheep and cattle are more than isolated reproductive events Each abortion represents the loss of a future lamb or calf and may signal the presence of an infectious disease capable of spreading rapidly through a flock or herd.
Beyond the immediate loss of offspring, abortion outbreaks can lead to:
Lower lambing and calving percentages
Reduced milk production
Delayed breeding performance
Increased veterinary costs
Replacement animal expenses
Reduced farm profitability
In severe outbreaks, multiple pregnant animals may be affected, causing significant financial losses for producers.
Many Infectious Diseases Can Trigger Abortions
Veterinary specialists warn that several bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases can cause abortions in livestock. Among the most important infectious causes are:
Enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE)
Toxoplasmosis
Campylobacter infection
Salmonella infection
Leptospirosis
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
Some abortion-causing diseases can also infect people, making careful handling of aborted fetuses and placental tissues an important biosecurity and public health measure.
Vaccination Remains One of the Most Effective Preventive Tools
Veterinarians continue to recommend vaccination as a key component of reproductive disease prevention. Several vaccines are available to protect against common infectious causes of abortion in sheep and cattle. However, experts note that vaccination programmes should always be designed in consultation with a veterinarian because disease risks vary between farms and regions.
Vaccination works best when it forms part of a broader herd health strategy rather than being used as the only preventive measure.
Farmers are also advised to:
Follow vaccine storage recommendations.
Administer vaccines according to label instructions.
Complete primary vaccination courses before breeding.
Maintain accurate vaccination records.
No vaccine provides complete protection, making good management practices equally important.
Disease Surveillance Helps Detect Problems Early
Veterinary authorities emphasise that every abortion should be investigated instead of being dismissed as an isolated incident. Prompt laboratory testing of aborted fetuses, placentas and relevant samples can help identify infectious agents and guide future prevention strategies.
Accurate diagnosis allows veterinarians to:
Confirm the cause of abortion.
Prevent disease spread.
Review vaccination programmes.
Improve future breeding outcomes.
Maintaining detailed reproductive records also helps identify disease trends before they become widespread.
Biosecurity Is Essential
Strong farm biosecurity remains one of the most effective ways to reduce disease transmission. Veterinary advisers recommend several practical measures:
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Quarantine newly purchased animals before introducing them into the flock or herd
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Avoid purchasing pregnant animals from unknown sources
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Isolate animals that abort until veterinary advice is obtained
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Dispose of aborted materials safely
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Clean and disinfect contaminated areas promptly
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Restrict unnecessary farm visitorsPractise good hygiene when handling pregnant animals
Closed herds and flocks generally face a lower risk of introducing infectious abortion diseases than operations that regularly purchase replacement animals.
Nutrition Also Influences Pregnancy Success
While infectious diseases receive most attention, veterinarians remind farmers that nutrition plays an important supporting role in reproductive health. Poor-quality feed, mould contamination, mineral imbalances and inadequate nutrition during pregnancy may increase reproductive problems and weaken the animals’ immune response. Experts recommend:
Feeding good-quality forage.
Preventing mould growth in stored feed.
Ensuring constant access to clean drinking water.
Implementing effective rodent control programmes.
Working with nutritionists to maintain balanced mineral supplementation.
Healthy animals are generally better equipped to resist infectious diseases.
Preparing Before the Breeding Season
Summer provides an important opportunity for farmers to review flock and herd health before the next breeding cycle. Veterinary advisers encourage producers to assess:
Vaccination schedules.
Disease history.
Biosecurity practices.
Breeding records.
Replacement animal policies.
Nutritional management.
Addressing weaknesses before breeding begins can significantly reduce reproductive losses during the following lambing and calving seasons.
A One Health Perspective
Several pathogens responsible for livestock abortions are zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans. Pregnant women, veterinarians, farmers and farm workers should take particular care when handling aborted fetuses, placentas or animals suspected of infectious abortion.
Using protective clothing, disposable gloves and appropriate hygiene practices helps reduce occupational exposure. This highlights the importance of a One Health approach that protects both animal and human health.
Growing Importance of Preventive Veterinary Medicine
The latest advice reflects a broader shift in livestock production towards prevention rather than treatment. By combining vaccination, surveillance, biosecurity and sound management, producers can reduce disease risk, improve reproductive performance and minimise the need for costly interventions after outbreaks occur.
Preventive herd health programmes also support responsible antimicrobial use by reducing the number of infectious disease outbreaks requiring treatment.
Key Takeaways
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UK veterinarians are urging livestock producers to strengthen abortion prevention strategies during the summer months
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Vaccination, disease surveillance and biosecurity remain the cornerstones of reproductive disease prevention
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Every abortion should be investigated to identify the underlying cause and prevent further losses
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Infectious abortion diseases can have significant economic and animal welfare consequences
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Some abortion-causing pathogens are zoonotic, making proper hygiene and protective measures essential
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Early planning before the breeding season can improve flock and herd reproductive performance.
Sources
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Scottish Farm Advisory Service (FAS): Guidance on investigating abortions in cattle and sheep and recommendations on vaccination, biosecurity and flock health planning
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Vet Times: Guidance on livestock vaccination protocols and the role of veterinarians in disease prevention
