Control and Ways of Improving the Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Status of Cattle on Breeding Farms and in Breeding Enterprises

Abstract

In order to improve the dairy and beef cattle breeding efficiency, a considerable number of pedigree cattle has been imported into Russia in recent decades. This practice put the breeding farms and breeding enterprises, to which the imported cattle is directed, at the risk of importation of dangerous viral diseases, such as the infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhea–mucous membrane disorder, including the new diseases, such as the HoBi virus infection. Due to their high contagiosity, multifactorial transmission mechanism, and prolonged persistence of the infectious agents in the organism, these diseases inflict significant damage on livestock breeding, causing reproduction function disruption in cows and mass respiratory system and digestive system diseases in calves. Persistently infected animals and sperm donor bulls are especially dangerous. Disease control and prophylaxis is provided through a series of actions that center mainly on preventing the introduction of the infected animals into the farms and timely identification and elimination of infected animals from the herd. In certain cases, vaccination is required if necessary.