• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.133-144
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effective environmental control measures in preventing calf diarrheal disease in farms. It was found that the high numbers of calves in a cow house was directly related with the high incidence rate of diarrheal diseases. When the number of calves was increased in a cow house, it was difficult to reduce the diarrheal diseases of calves. It was revealed that the incidence rates of calf diarrheal disease were dramatically reduced when the delivery house which faced south. The periodical changes of bedding materials seemed beneficial good to control the possible resident infectious agents, including pathogenic viruses and bacteria. The control of the delivery time was important for reduction of calf diarrhea. It was revealed that September and October were the best time as the delivery period. In order to use old cow house as a delivery house, it should be sterilized by the disinfectant and the flame. When the diarrheal feces were removed as soon as possible, the transmission of diarrheal diseases among calves In the same house was reduced. When the diarrheal feces were not disposed, the incidence rate of diarrhea reached up to 50%. When the morbid calves were not quarantined, the incidence rate of diarrhea was 100%. In contrast, when the diseased calves were quarantined from other calves, the incidence rate of diarrhea was reduced, remarkably. The mean recovery time from the diarrhea of the treated calves in the southern cow house was much faster than that in the north cow house. The treatment of calves in a clean and well-ventilated cow house with dry bedding was more effective than that in a cold, wet, and dark house. It could be postulated that the most important environmental factor in the reduction of diarrheal diseases of calves is the blocking of the entry of the infectious agents. The complete sanitation and control of the delivery house in the using farm is more important than building a new cow house, for prevention of calf diarrheal diseases.