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Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)

Agent/cause
  • Caused by Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV)
Disease
  • Pneumonia, which can be particularly severe in housed beef cattle
  • Pneumonia and reduced milk yields in dairy herds
  • Abortions may also occur.
  • Some strains cause only mild symptoms.
  • Recovered cattle remain carriers and can excrete virus when when stressed.
Introduction and spread
  • Purchase of carrier animals including bulls is the main source of new infections
  • Spread is mainly by the respiratory route
Impact
  • Losses due to disease
  • Recovered (carrier) bulls are excluded from AI centres as they may shed virus in their semen
  • Barrier to the export of live cattle to other regions or countries within Europe, where the disease has already been eradicated.
Control program
  • Testing program using blood and milk samples to identify and remove carrier cattle.
    Screening and eradication
  • Appropriate biosecurity to avoid reintroduction.
    Biosecurity
  • Vaccination is an effective means of control, but does not stop carrier animals shedding virus
  • Marker vaccines can be used as part of an eradication program.
  • Marker vaccines allow vaccinated and naturally infected cattle to be distinguished (this is not possible with conventional vaccines).