PROPOSAL OF A PROGRAM FOR CONTROL, SUPPRESSION AND ERADICATION OF BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA VIRUS INFECTION IN CATTLE HERDS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Abstract

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is a viral infection of cattle caused by Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV). Th e most important source of infectionis persistently infected and sick cattle, but also other susceptible species. BVDV infection, except for cattle, occurs in sheep, pigs, goats and wild ruminants. Th ese animals can be reservoirs of the virus, and thus the source of infection. Th e greatest economic losses caused by BVDV infectionin cattle farming are the direct consequences of transplacental infection, as a result of foetal deaths, congenital malformations, neonatal and postnatal mortality, including mucosal diseases and slow growth and poor performance results of the surviving animals, as well as acute infections of respiratory and alimentary infections. Economic losses due to BVDV infection can be seen in a cattle herd even several years aft er the infection. Moreover, BVDV infection is considered as the third most important disease to cattle farming industry, immediately aft er rinderpest and the foot-and-mouth disease. Th e primary task of BVDV infection control is to prevent prenatal infection. This procedure includes the determination and elimination of persistently infected (PI) animals from the herd. Aft er the removal of these animals, great attention must be paid to introducing new animals into the herd and preventing the occurrence of transplacental infection. On the basis of existing data and real suppositions about the distribution of BVDV infection in the territory of Serbia, the great economic damages it causes, as well as the general tendency to resolve problems in European states, and for the competitiveness of our farmers and food industries in the production of milk, meat or breeding material after joining the EU market, it is necessary to draft legal regulations in the control of this bovine viral disease in Serbia. The mentioned control could be based on the voluntary BVDV eradication program on herd’s level in the beginning and on establishing herds with BVDV free status. Certifi cation of BVDV free status of herd will be done by Veterinary Directorate, and the register of herds with BVDV free status could be “on line” available and maintained by the Veterinary Directorate. The essence of this proposal, a volunteer program of establishing herds with BVDV free status, is based on several steps or phases, which includes frequent diagnostic testing, removal of PI animals from the herd and the introduction of strict biosecurity measures.