Bovine virus diarrhoea virus vaccines and vaccination

Abstract

There are different ways to control BVDV infection in cattle. These have been outlined under the headings of (i) maintenance of herd immunity through the continual exposure to BVDV infection (ii) the establishment of a BVDV-free herd (iii) the role of BVDV vaccination in the control of infection. There are real ethical concerns about the maintenance of PI animals within any herd (i) and the preferred control measures are either total eradication (ii) or vaccination and careful management (iii). Total eradication gives the optimum benefits but stringent control measures are required to protect the seronegative and hence highly vulnerable population. A new vaccine has been developed (Bovidec) which has given 100% protection in experimental challenge studies of heifers in early pregnancy.