Considerations on BVD eradication for the Irish livestock industry

Abstract

Animal Health Ireland has produced clear guidelines for the control of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) infection in Irish cattle herds. In the course of developing these guidelines it was clear that a framework for regional and/or national BVD control would be required to increase the uptake of BVD control at farm level and reduce the overall prevalence of the disease. This paper assessed the economic impact of BVD, epidemiological aspects of the disease to its control, models of BVD control, international experiences of BVD control programmes. The technical knowledge and test technology exists to eradicate BVD. Indeed, many countries have successfully and others are embarking on control of the disease. The identification and prompt elimination of PI cattle will form the basis of any control programme. The trade of such animals must be curtailed. Pregnant and potentially pregnant carrying PI foetuses pose a significant threat. International experience indicates systematic, well coordinated programmes have the most success, while voluntary programmes can make good initial progress but ultimately fail. The farming community must buy into any proposed programme, and without their support, failure is likely. To buy into the programme and create such a demand for BVD control, farmers must first be well informed. It is likely that stemming economic loss and improving productivity will be the primary motivator at individual farm level.

Genetic typing of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in cattle on Irish farms

“…The expert group and the farmer group were in agreement that BVD was a high priority disease and was deemed to be an efficient use of AHI's resources (More et al 2010). Barrett et al (2011) …”

“…If animals are diagnosed as antibody positive the source of infection may be determined by virus detection tests. Many BVD control and eradication programmes are based on the principle of the identification and removal of PI animals (Dubovi 2013;Barrett et al 2011).…”

“…There are three main pillars for the successful control and eradication of BVDV: regular herd screening to identify infected animals, the removal of PI animals and implementation of adequate biosecurity measures (Lindberg and Alenius 1999;Lanyon et al 2014;Barrett et al 2011). As previously described above, there are a number of diagnostic tools available to herd owners and veterinary surgeons to successfully identify infected animals.…”

“…Vaccination of naïve animals against BVDV can assist in the control of BVDV but vaccination alone is not sufficient to control or eradicate BVDV from a herd and must be used in support of the three control measures listed above in order to be effective (Barrett et al 2011;Lindberg 2002). An experimental trial study revealed that 4 out of 15 (27%) heifers vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine produced a PI calf in comparison to 100% of the unvaccinated group following exposure to PI animals (Grooms et al 2007).…”

“…The results of this study provide a detailed and comprehensive insight into the genetic diversity of BVDV in circulation within Irish cattle herds and will act as a baseline reference for future BVDV genotyping studies. (Bachofen et al 2010;Barrett et al 2011;Houe 1999;Houe 2003;Lindberg 2002;Sayers 2014). Eradication and control programmes are becoming increasingly common internationally (Stahl et al 2005;Lindberg 2002;Presi et al 2011) and will benefit from a greater understanding of BVD is an infectious disease of both domesticated and free living animals including:…”