Control of Bovine Viral Diarrhea.

Volker Moennig,Paul Becher

doi:10.3390/pathogens7010029

Volker Moennig, Paul Becher

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens7010029

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Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is one of the most important infectious diseases of cattle with respect to animal health and economic impact. Its stealthy nature, prolonged transient infections, and the presence of persistently infected (PI) animals as efficient reservoirs were responsible for its ubiquitous presence in cattle populations worldwide. Whereas it was initially thought that the infection was impossible to control, effective systematic control strategies have emerged over the last 25 years. The common denominators of all successful control programs were systematic control, removal of PI animals, movement controls for infected herds, strict biosecurity, and surveillance. Scandinavian countries, Austria, and Switzerland successfully implemented these control programs without using vaccination. Vaccination as an optional and additional control tool was used by e.g., Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and Scotland. The economic benefits of BVD control programs had been assessed in different studies.

Highlights

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) was discovered in 1946 by researchers at Cornell University [1].It was described as a new, rather inconspicuous transmissible diarrhea
Mucosal disease (MD) of cattle was first described in 1953 [3], and it took years until it became clear that MD was caused by BVD virus (BVDV)
In Europe, the use of modified live vaccine (MLV) is not recommended in unvaccinated animals during the first six months of pregnancy

Summary

Introduction

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) was discovered in 1946 by researchers at Cornell University [1]. Mucosal disease (MD) of cattle was first described in 1953 [3], and it took years until it became clear that MD was caused by BVD virus (BVDV). Resulting persistently infected (PI) calves tolerant to their endogenous BVDV proved to be the key for the virus’ success to survive and persist in cattle populations [4]. Based on their effects on cell cultures, two biotypes of BVDV are known, the noncytopathic (ncp) and cytopathic (cp). Since the virus was endemic and all available laboratory tools for the virological and serological diagnosis were based on time- and cost-intensive tissue culture techniques, it was long thought impossible to effectively control the infections and resulting disease conditions

Control of BVD Using Vaccination

Control of BVD without Vaccination

Combined Control Programs

Findings

Conclusions