Bacterial animal diseases
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) supports the Dutch government and business life by performing diagnostic tests and scientific research and by giving policy recommendations for prevention and control of (notifiable) infectious bacterial diseases in animals. Many of these diseases are transmissible to humans (zoonoses).
Take a look at our research on:
Botulism
Botulism is a serious disease that is accompanied by symptoms of paralysis with possibly fatal consequences. Botulism may occur in both animals and humans. The disease is usually contracted by ingesting food or water contaminated with the toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, also referred to as botulinum neurotoxins, BoNT. Botulism is primarily a form of food poisoning. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts laboratory diagnosis on test material from humans and animals suspected of suffering from botulism.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease in bovines that occurs all over the world. It is mainly spread through the air. This bacterium can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonosis). The Netherlands has been officially tuberculosis-free since 1999. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Brucellosis
Brucellosis is a disease that occurs all over the world. The Brucella bacterium can infect different animal species and it can be transmitted to humans (zoonosis). The main symptom in animals is abortion or premature birth and in that, the risk of infection for humans and animals is high. The Netherlands has been officially free of brucellosis since 1999. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) carries out research into this disease.
Campylobacter
Campylobacter is an intestinal bacterium which can cause an intestinal infection through contaminated food. The Campylobacter bacteria are the main cause of diarrhoea in humans in the EU and the Netherlands. Most infections come from meat, especially poultry. The government, industry and research work together at national and European levels to tackle infections.
Glanders
Glanders, or malleus, is a serious disease affecting horses and other equids, such as donkeys and mules. Other animal species are also susceptible, including camels.
Psittacosis or parrot fever
Psittacosis or parrot fever is a disease that affects humans and psittacines and is also known as ornithosis (in pigeons and poultry). It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. The disease has been described in over 465 bird species and is a zoonosis,which means that it can be transmitted to humans. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this zoonosis.
Streptococcus suis
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a bacterium that can cause severe illness in pigs and that occurs across the globe. S. suis is a zoonosis, meaning that the bacterium can be transferred from pigs to humans. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) studies this disease.