What causes pestivirus?

What causes pestivirus?

Pestivirus (also known as BVDV) is caused by a virus. The virus is widespread in cattle herds worldwide, including Victoria. Herds become infected by contact with infected animals, especially with so-called “carrier” or “persistently infected” animals. Artificial insemination and embryo transfer can spread pestivirus.

Is BVD a pestivirus?

Bovine pestivirus and its resulting diseases have several interchangeable names including bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), pestivirus and bovine pestivirus. Mucosal disease is the fatal disease that develops in animals persistently infected with BVDV.

How do cattle get pestivirus?

Pestivirus is shed in all body secretions of a ‘carrier’ animal: saliva, tears, nasal discharges, milk, urine, semen and dung. Spread to other animals is by direct contact with the carrier animal or with its secretions.

What is pestivirus in cattle?

Pestivirus, also known as bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), causes abortion, ill thrift in young animals, diarrhoea and increases susceptibility to respiratory disease.

What are the symptoms of pestivirus?

Clinical signs that would lead a you to suspect pestivirus include:

• early-term abortion or embryonic loss.
• temporary infertility.
• increased susceptibility to other diseases.
• weak, stunted or deformed calves.
• diarrhoea.
• respiratory disease.
• ill-thrift and wastage.

How do you control pestivirus?

Vaccination and stamping out have been the most successful tools for the control and elimination of the disease.

When do you vaccinate for pestivirus?

Two doses of Pestigard should be administered 4-6 weeks apart with annual boosters thereafter. However the 2nd dose must be administered 2-4 weeks prior to joining. The first dose of Pestigard may be given up to 6 months before the second dose to suit management practices.

Can you vaccinate against BVD?

BVD is a highly infectious disease and a BVD-free herd will be at risk of incoming disease unless biosecurity is exceptional. BVD vaccination offers excellent protection against this – providing it is carried out correctly.

What are the symptoms of Pestivirus?

When do you vaccinate for Pestivirus?

How do you control Pestivirus?

How often should I vaccinate my cattle?

The infectious vaccine may give properly vaccinated cattle immunity for life. Repeated modified live infectious vaccinations are unnecessary. However, immunity of the vaccinated animal can be ensured by using a non infectious vaccine booster every year or an infectious vaccine every 3 years.