Knowledge, attitudes and management of bovine viral diarrhoea virus among eastern Australian cattle producers: results from a 2013 cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically significant disease affecting the Australian cattle industry, with losses stemming from decreased production and reproductive performance and control costs. However, these losses can be difficult to appreciate, particularly in endemic regions. Overall, there is a variable but high herd‐level seroprevalence in Australia. Despite a potentially high financial burden of the disease, the onus for control ultimately falls on producers and strategies employed will vary between regions. A cross‐sectional study, using a postal survey, was conducted in 2013 to evaluate the BVDV knowledge, attitudes and management practices utilised by Australian cattle producers. A total of 192 producers participated in the study, and results indicate that knowledge and attitudes towards disease risk are variable and can be improved. Producer knowledge of how persistently infected (PI) animals are produced was higher than that of disease outcomes or transmission pathways. Implementation of biosecurity practices was limited, with approximately half of respondents employing quarantine procedures for introduced stock and only 2% indicating they would antigen test introduced stock for BVDV. Approximately a third (36%) of producers reported engaging in BVDV control, with the majority of these using vaccination strategies over deliberate exposure to a PI. Knowledge of and engagement with BVDV control was positively influenced by the producer relationships with veterinarians. Findings from this study suggest that building on education and delivering a consistent message among stakeholders would likely improve producer awareness and understanding in relation to BVDV and support decision making in BVDV management.

Veterinarians’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Associated with Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Control and Prevention in South-East Australia

“…However, in this study, veterinarians were uncertain about the proportion of herds that were BVDV positive in their regions. Consequently, they were also unsure about the proportion of producers who used BVDV control and prevention methods, although the median estimate was consistent with a previous southern Australian study in which 36% of cattle producers implemented BVDV control [ 11 ]. However, this proportion might be influenced by concurrent control measures for another disease that are beneficial in the control of BVDV.…”

“…Internationally, surveys of producers and veterinarians have indicated that insufficient knowledge is the most common reason for the absence of control protocols for BVDV [ 44 ]. Recent studies also indicated that Australian producers were considered to have a low knowledge of BVDV [ 11 , 17 ]. As comprehensive knowledge of a disease is needed for disease control at a national level, increased herd-level surveillance and education is essential for Australian BVDV control.…”

“…There are potential shortfalls in achieving BVDV disease control using deliberate exposure [ 15 , 23 , 45 , 46 ], such as incorrect timing, length of exposure and failure to ensure all susceptible animals seroconvert [ 15 , 22 , 45 ]. A previous survey of southern Australian producers found that deliberate exposure was less commonly used than vaccination, and was also generally inadequately managed when used [ 11 ]. In contrast, veterinarians in the current study reported that deliberate exposure was used relatively more commonly than the commercially available vaccination, especially on beef properties.…”

“…There is also limited information about regional BVDV prevalence in Australia because the available literature is limited and is often not herd-type specific or climate specific [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Additionally, many producers are unaware of the BVDV status of cattle on their property [ 11 ]. Diagnosis of BVDV infection is necessary to establish and then implement control practices, and it is especially important to detect PI cattle [ 12 ].…”

“…The implementation of control and management practices at farm level is not common in Australia [ 11 ], even though producers have indicated a willingness to implement management practices, particularly if they are economically beneficial [ 17 ]. Such practices can include herd surveillance (for example, to eliminate PI calves), increasing herd immunity, and improved biosecurity.…”