Risk Factors for Introduction of Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) Into Cattle Herds: A Systematic European Literature Review.

Given that bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) -the causative agent of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)- is still endemic in most European countries, BoHV-1 free herds are subject to a considerable risk of (re)introduction of the virus. The aim of this literature review was to describe published, quantified risk factors that are relevant for the introduction of BoHV-1. The risk factors described in this study can be used as input for modeling eradication scenarios and for communication on biosecurity measures to stakeholders.

Why Test Purchased Cattle in BVDV Control Programs?

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is controlled in many countries by detection and culling of persistently infected (PI) animals. The most important risk factor for BVDV introduction is purchase. An introduced cow can be PI and transmit the virus to other cattle in the herd.

The effect of new bovine viral diarrhea virus introduction on somatic cell count, calving interval, culling, and calf mortality of dairy herds in the Dutch bovine viral diarrhea virus-free program.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection has a major effect on the health of cows and consequently on herd performance. Many countries have implemented control or eradication programs to mitigate BVDV infection and its negative effects. These negative effects of BVDV infection on dairy herds are well documented, but there is much less information about the effects of new introduction of BVDV on dairy herds already participating in a BVDV control program.

The effect of bovine viral diarrhea virus introduction on milk production of Dutch dairy herds.

Dairy cows are negatively affected by the introduction of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and consequently, produce less milk. Existing literature on potential milk production losses is based on relatively outdated data and hardly evaluates milk production loss in relation to a new BVDV infection in a surveillance system. This study determined the annual and quarterly loss in milk production of BVDV introduction in 3,126 dairy herds participating in the Dutch BVDV-free program between 2007 and 2017.

STOC Free: An Innovative Framework to Compare Probability of Freedom From Infection in Heterogeneous Control Programmes.

The existence, stage of eradication and design of control programmes (CPs) for diseases that are not regulated by the EU differ between Member States. When freedom from infection is reached or being pursued, safe trade is essential to protect or reach that status. The aim of STOC free, a collaborative project between six countries, is to develop and validate a framework that enables a transparent and standardized comparison of confidence of freedom for CPs across herds, regions or countries.