EASY TO CATCH, HARD TO DETECT
- BVDV is a highly contagious virus that can infect both beef cattle and dairy cattle
- Most infections are subclinical, meaning cattle show few or no signs
- The virus mutates and changes over time
- The most common BVDV subtypes include Type 1b, which is the most prevalent strain, Type 1a and Type 21
- BVDV can contribute to reproductive disease (abortions and birth defects), respiratory disease and, less commonly, diarrhea
ECONOMIC IMPACT
- Poor reproduction
- Decreased or delayed conception
- Early embryonic death
- Abortions and stillborns
- Birth defects, weak calves
- Longer calving interval
- Persistently infected calves
- Increased incidence of other bovine health problems
- Mastitis, decreased milk production
- Bovine respiratory disease/Pneumonia
- Calf scours
- Increased mortality
MOST INFECTED CATTLE ESCAPE DETECTION
- 70–90 percent of BVDV infections are subclinical (no obvious signs) and go unnoticed
- Most common indication is poor reproductive performance: decreased conception rates, abortions, stillbirths, weak calves
- Infection suppresses the immune system, making cattle more susceptible to other infectious diseases:
- In calves, may result in decreased weaning weight, scours, pneumonia and death
- In older animals, may lead to respiratory disease and bleeding disorders
SIGNS OF TRANSIENT INFECTION
Signs can vary from mild to severe and may include:
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased milk production
- Increased respiratory rate
- Nasal and/or eye discharge
- Diarrhea
- Oral ulcers
- Fever
- Death