The way forward to official paratuberculosis free status: national surveillance, diagnostic, disease control and management programme for paratuberculosis in Norway 2016-2021

Historically, paratuberculosis was endemic in Norway in herds of goat and cattle. The annual national surveillance programme for paratuberculosis was established in Norway in 1996. During the last six years (2016-2021) of surveillance, more than 29 000 samples were analysed for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection. MAP has not been detected in Norway since 2015. An effective surveillance, diagnostic and management programme substantially contributed to the control of paratuberculosis in Norway. The transition from MAP endemic status to having no known positive cases of paratuberculosis in Norway is a remarkable success. This could set the scene for Norway to become an “Officially Paratuberculosis Free” country.