Muhammad Tanveer Munir¹, Anum Rafia Munir², Murtaz ul Hasan¹, Muhammad Abubakar^3*
1Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, PMAS–Arid Agriculture University, Shamasabad, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; ² Chemistry department, Government College University Lahore, Pakistan; ³ National Veterinary Laboratory, Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: mabnvl@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis the subspecies of M. avium, effects wide range of animals including domestic cattle, sheep, goats, buffaloes, camelids and wild ruminants resulting in progressive and chronic enteritis known as Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis). Clinically sick animals show emaciation, diarrhea and eventually death but the risk is that mostly they don’t show clinical sign still can shed bacteria in feces and milk. Organism spread in the animal body through blood and lymph nodes to multiple internal organs. It is economically very important disease in livestock because effected livestock is recommended to be culled due to high treatment costs. Etiology, host range, immunology, epidemiology, stages/ forms, clinical signs, diagnostic tools and treatment have been discussed with special reference to endemic situations. Strategies to control this disease include improved management practices, testing and culling and vaccination. Modifications in management practices is not an easy job and so is the case with testing and culling; vaccine on the other hand is the simple practice but it is not usually practiced by farmers because lack of knowledge/awareness in herdsmen and availability of vaccine.

Key Words: Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis), Epidemiology; Control, Endemic situation