JFHMS Quality Assurance Practice Exam

What can potentially spread disease in a cattle herd?

1. Introducing healthy cattle

2. Introducing diseased or carrier cattle

3. Maintaining herd isolation

4. Regular veterinary check-ups

The correct answer is: Introducing diseased or carrier cattle

Introducing diseased or carrier cattle can significantly jeopardize the health of a cattle herd. When diseased animals or those that are carriers of infections are mixed with healthy ones, they can introduce pathogens that might not have been present previously. This can lead to outbreaks of disease, which can spread rapidly among the herd due to close contact, shared resources such as feed and water, and the potential for airborne transmission in some cases. In contrast, options like maintaining herd isolation or conducting regular veterinary check-ups are preventive measures designed to protect the health of the cattle. Herd isolation helps to ensure that only healthy animals are kept together, reducing the risk of disease transmission. Similarly, regular veterinary check-ups allow for the early detection and control of potential diseases, contributing to overall herd health. Introducing healthy cattle, while typically seen as beneficial, can also vary if those cattle have been exposed to a disease and are not showing symptoms, but this risk is minimal compared to the potential harm posed by diseased or carrier animals. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious about introducing new animals to a herd, ensuring they are thoroughly screened for any diseases before integration.