BVDV control and eradication in Europe--an update

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Epidemiology
• Animal Health Economics

Background:

• Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections are globally endemic in cattle, causing significant economic losses.
• Traditional control relied on prophylactic vaccination, which had limited impact on overall disease losses.
• Systematic eradication strategies emerged in the 1990s, proving more effective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the general model for BVDV control.
• To provide an overview of strategies used in European BVDV control programs.
• To present the current status of ongoing BVDV control initiatives in Europe.

Main Methods:

• Review of BVDV control strategies, focusing on Scandinavian eradication programs.
• Analysis of zoo-sanitary measures for preventing BVDV introduction and reducing prevalence.
• Identification and elimination of persistently infected (PI) animals as a key component.

Main Results:

• Scandinavian countries have achieved BVDV freedom or near-freedom through systematic eradication.
• Control programs without vaccines have demonstrated high success rates.
• Ongoing control programs in several European countries are adopting similar strategies.

Conclusions:

• Systematic BVDV eradication programs, emphasizing PI animal identification and elimination, are highly effective.
• Zoo-sanitary measures are crucial for preventing BVDV spread and reducing herd prevalence.
• The Scandinavian model provides a successful framework for European BVDV control efforts.