BVD Virus Control and Eradication - Academy of Veterinary Consultants Technical Briefs
 
Integrated BVD Control Plans for Beef Operations
Daniel L. Grooms1, DVM, PhD; M. Daniel Givens2, DVM, PhD; Michael W. Sanderson3, DVM, MS; Bradley J. White3, DVM, MS; Dale M. Grotelueschen4, DVM, MS; David R. Smith5, DVM, PhD

1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
2Departments of Pathobiology & Clinical Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
3Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
4Pfizer Animal Health, Beef Cattle Veterinary Operations, Gering, NE 69341
5Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
Corresponding author: Dr. Daniel L. Grooms, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, A100
VTH, East Lansing, MI 48824, Tel: (517) 432-1494, Fax: (517) 432-1042, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Abstract

Infection of cattle with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) can result in a wide assortment of disease manifestations. Diseases related to BVDV cause economic losses to cattle producers throughout the world due to decreased performance, loss of milk production, reproductive wastage, and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. There are three broad types of BVDV infection: acute, fetal, and persistent. It is persistent infection that is predominantly responsible for perpetuating the virus in cattle populations, and animals persistently infected with BVDV are an important target for control of transmission. The approach to BVDV control must be multidimensional, with consideration for all tools at our disposal including strategic management of the production system, diagnostic investigation, and vaccination. Decisions regarding BVDV control should factor into consideration the strategy’s potential to decrease risk for transmission and its cost. Producers must first know with reasonable certainty if the virus is circulating in the herd. If the virus is found in the herd, then the appropriate actions are those that minimize the harmful effects of infection or work to eliminate the virus. If the virus is not present in the herd, then the appropriate actions are those that keep the herd free of BVDV and minimize losses should the virus be introduced. Recently, a new website was created to consolidate BVDV information in a single location on the internet: www.bvdinfo.org.


Keywords: bovine viral diarrhea virus, BVDV, disease control, biosecurity, persistent infection, PI

Bov Pract 43:106-116, 2009.

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Bovine Viral Diarrhea Resource Page
A large amount of information has been produced regarding BVDV disease, diagnosis, prevention, and control methods.  This virus affects primarily cattle and the impact of the disease varies based on the production and management situation.  Some literature describing general information such as the virus and diagnostic methods can be transferred between production situations, however, biosecurity and control programs are usually specific for management systems.  Finding the right information for the correct situation is critical to implementing a successful control or elimination program.  This website was created to consolidate BVDV information in a single location on the internet.

The goal of this website is to provide a clearinghouse for BVDV information.  Members from two national committees (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association BVD Working Group  and Academy of Veterinary Consultants ad hoc BVD Committee) have contributed to the design and content on the site.  The site contains a section for peer-reviewed manuscripts (divided by topic), non-peer reviewed articles,  and links to external sites with pertinent information.  Articles listed contain information regarding vaccination programs, diagnostic testing programs to identify persistently infected calves, herd management and biosecurity programs, economics of BVD control and mitigation, and information on BVD in other species. The site also houses software tools that help make decisions associated with BVDV testing or control programs.   These tools allow evaluation of risk of BVD introduction and economic comparisons of BVD testing and control strategies. Finally, the site contains information from national BVD committees including current position statements and schedules for upcoming meetings.  This website will provide one stop for collecting valuable BVDV information to help keep producers, veterinarians and researchers up to date on the latest information.