A recent survey conducted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales revealed a need to increase awareness of the potential impacts of Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) infection in Welsh cattle herds.
The questionnaire process captured information about thousands of cattle from across Wales and demonstrated that almost half of the farmers surveyed had a farm health plan which included BVD.
“However, more needs to be done to raise awareness of the economic impacts and welfare issues caused by this virus,” said FUW senior policy officer Hazel Wright.
BVD is thought to be widespread in the UK and has now been identified as one of the non-statutory endemic disease priorities for both the dairy and beef cattle sectors in Wales by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Steering Group (AHWSSG).
At the end of last year, a Wales BVD sub-group, including representatives from Welsh Government, Hybu Cig Cymru, BVA, DairyCo, Gelli Aur College, Menter a Busnes and the FUW, was established to further the work of the AHWSSG and this sub-group met for the first time at the 2012 Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
Alongside hosting the inaugural meeting of the BVD sub-group, the FUW issued a BVD questionnaire at the Winter Fair to identify current BVD priority areas in Wales and to better inform the work of the BVD sub-group.
Dr Wright, who also represents the FUW on the AHWSSG, said: “Infection with BVD can cause a number of health problems including reduced conception rates, protracted calving periods, increased abortion rates, stillbirths and deformed and weak calves.
“The economic losses of an uncontrolled BVD outbreak can therefore be substantial.”
BVD infection also leads to a suppression of disease resistance allowing calf pneumonia and diarrhoea problems to be more severe, resulting in greater calf losses.
Dr Wright added: “Infection in the first third of pregnancy is especially concerning because developing calves that survive will remain Persistently Infected (PI) with BVD. PI calves often appear healthy but they will shed the virus throughout their lives and are therefore a major source of spread for this virus.
“Some PI calves will develop mucosal disease and will die before they reach maturity. However, significant numbers of PI calves survive well into adulthood.”
Risk factors include the purchase of infected stock, contact with neighbours’ cattle across fences and contact at markets or shows.
“Engaging in testing programmes to monitor the level of BVD in the herd and control programmes to lessen the impact of any outbreak are essential. It is vital that farmers discuss this disease with their vet in order to address any potential risks as part of their herd health plan,” said Dr Wright.