Bovid herpesvirus 2: natural spread among breeding bulls

Sera collected over a seven year period, together with detailed health and management records, were used in a retrospective study of Bovid herpesvirus 2 (BHV-2) spread within a large herd of breeding bulls. Virus spread rapidly throughout the bulls in one barn. Transfer of infected bulls to other barns was followed by further, although sporadic, spread of virus. Spread of BHV-2 from seropositive animals to susceptible bulls in close contact led to the conclusion that reactivation and transmission of latent virus had occurred. Semen from seropositive bulls did not transmit BHV-2 to seronegative calves that were purposefully inoculated by the intranasal or intravenous routes.