Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVD)

There are two viruses, which are in the same group of pestiviruses as the virus of swine fever (hog cholera) but which primarily infect cattle and sheep respectively. They can get into pig breeding herds and cause reproductive problems.

The disease is not a common cause of infertility in the sow and would be considered low on the list of possibilities from a diagnostic point of view.

Symptoms

Piglets, Weaners & Growers

  • N/A

Sows

  • Poor conception rates.
  • A few abortions.
  • Foetal death.
  • Mummification.
  • Small litters.
  • Low birth weights.

Causes / Contributing factors

  • Exposure of pigs to cattle or sheep faeces.
  • Feeding of un-pasteurised cow’s milk.
  • Contaminated live-attenuated virus vaccines.

Diagnosis

Laboratory tests. Serology and isolation.

 

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