Epidemiological Insights into the Incidence of Enterotoxaemia in the Cauvery Delta Region of Tamilnadu, India

The present investigation provides a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of enterotoxaemia in goats in the Cauvery Delta region, a major livestock-rearing zone in Tamil Nadu. The disease, caused by Clostridium perfringens type D and its potent epsilon toxin, leads to sudden death and severe neurological symptoms. Among 550 goats with neurological disorders examined between December 2023 and May 2025, 23 (11.68%) were confirmed with enterotoxaemia. Common clinical signs included abnormal gait (100%), reduced mentation (95.65%), muscle tremors (91.3%), seizures (86.96%) and head pressing (34.78%). Highest incidence was seen in kids aged 0–6 months (39.13%) and adults over 2 years (34.78%). Breed-wise, non-descript goats (5.58%) were most affected, with higher susceptibility in females (7.11%) than males (4.57%). Seasonal distribution showed peak cases during Pre-monsoon (34.78%) and Monsoon (26.09%). Diagnostic confirmation involved lateral flow detection of epsilon toxin and characteristic histopathological changes in the brain. The study underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis, vaccination and husbandry practices to mitigate economic losses from this fatal disease.