Pathological features of domestic ruminants in mountain pastures in France

Abstract

Except some specific diseases such as Wohlfartia magnifica myiasis, most of the main infectious and parasitic diseases occurring on mountain pastures result from a host carriage of pathogens. Mixed herds with their own sanitary status and huge climatic and thermal variations favour infectious disease outbreaks. Transhumance with infected carriers is the major risk factor inducing higher morbidity, mortality and economic losses during summering on mountain pastures. The best solution remains the preventive sanitary management of the herds before this transhumance.