Survival of bovine viral diarrhea virus on materials associated with livestock production

Abstract

Fomites have been shown to play a role in the transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). However, there are no published reports on the length of time BVDV can survive on fomites. In the current study, we applied a type 1b, non-cytopathic (NCP) BVDV isolate to clothing, materials common to livestock production settings, and various feedstuffs. Additionally, we created a synthetic mucus phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and added BVDV to determine whether mucus impacted BVDV survival. Overall, the ability to recover BVDV after application to potential fomites decreased as the length of incubation increased. The BVDV strain tested in this study exhibited longer survival times in two aqueous solutions (water and PBS), two non-porous materials (latex and enameled metal), and one porous material (paper) than in other potential fomites. One non-porous material (galvanized metal) and two porous materials (soil and pine) tended to have a lower chance of BVDV recovery. No virus was recovered from denim, cotton t-shirt, mineral and salt blocks. For the total mixed ration, BVDV was recovered in one replicate, for up to eight hours post-application; however, all other replicates were negative. The molasses-urea lick in all three replicates was contaminated, therefore they were not tested. Based on these findings, a type 1b, NCP BVDV was capable of surviving after application to various materials used in livestock production. In the presence of mucus, BVDV was protected from degradation for longer periods of time.