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Unless the herd
has a guaranteed health security, then danger from BVDV is ever present. In fact, some of
the largest and most damaging outbreaks have occurred in so-called 'closed' herds. The
retention of PI animals as sentinel vaccinators for young stock has been suggested but
this can actually cause disease rather than prevent it. The best way forward is to
vaccinate females of breeding age before they are inseminated. This will prevent the
considerable reproductive loss due to the virus, ensure that unborn calves are not
prematurely exposed to BVDV and become persistently infected. This will, in turn, remove
the main reservoir of viral infection for other cattle. |
