Social Structure of Sheep Flocks at Points of the Production Cycle and Relationship to Disease Spread, Using a Simulated Epidemic of Footrot

Animals 2026 Open access

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Authors: Kate Lewis, Emily Price, Darren Paul Croft, Joss Langford, Laura Ozella, Ciro Cattuto, Rachel Clifton, Laura Elizabeth Green
DOI: 10.3390/ani16040587
Cited by: 0
References: 38

Abstract

Footrot is one of the top five globally important diseases of sheep and causes lameness, leading to poor welfare and productivity. Transmission of Dichelobacter nodosus, the causative agent, occurs via surfaces such as pasture or bedding and persistence occurs from diseased sheep shedding bacteria into the environment; D. nodosus cannot replicate off host. High resolution proximity sensors were deployed on a flock of Poll Dorset sheep for 10–17 days at several points of the production cycle (teasing, tupping, pregnancy, and lactation (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies Microbial infections and disease research

Publication details

Journal / source
Animals
Volume
16
Issue
4
Pages
587–587
Publication date
12 February 2026
Language
EN