Evidence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Persistent Infection in Two White-Tail Deer in Southeastern South Dakota

Abstract

The role of wildlife reservoirs continues to be a major unknown in the epidemiology of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Serological data indicates that a wide range of wild ruminants have BVDV antibodies. BVDV has been isolated from a mule deer in Wyoming. In this report we examine the gross, histological and virological findings of two isolations of BVDV in whitetail deer in southeastern South Dakota in areas with concentrations of feedlot, dairy and cow-calf operations.