Is the end in sight for bovine viral diarrhoea virus, or is it just a mirage?

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is an infectious disease that significantly affects the health, welfare and productivity of cattle. Elimination of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is technically feasible. There are mandatory BVDV elimination programmes in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland. There are voluntary BVD programmes in England and Wales. The main focus of BVDV elimination programmes is the identification and slaughter of cattle persistently infected with BVDV (PIs). PI animals shed large amounts of virus in all excretions and secretions and are the main source of infection for other cattle. BVDV elimination can only succeed within a realistic timescale if PIs are removed quickly enough to minimise the risk of infection resulting in the generation of further PI animals. Maintaining stakeholder cohesion, commitment and engagement is also key in a BVD programme. All cattle farms need to be free of BVDV to eliminate the risk of infection and voluntary programmes are unlikely to reach all farms. The mandatory programme in Ireland started in 2013 and it is aiming to seek a declaration of freedom under the EU Animal Health Law in 2023. The other programmes are at various stages along the pathway to BVDV elimination. The stated intention of the cattle industry in the UK is elimination of BVDV by 2031. This will be a stretch target, particularly in England, but should be possible if the approach is science-based and the delivery programmes have the committed support of farmers and veterinary surgeons.