Project to shed light on pestivirus in North West cattle
Vets from the North West Livestock Health and Pest Authority are gearing up to undertake a project on bovine pestivirus which will identify prevalence of pestivirus carriers in local herds and also determine the economic impact of the disease.
Bovine viral diarrhoea virus, otherwise known as bovine pestivirus, is reportedly widespread throughout cattle herds in Australia.
Ted Irwin, North West LHPA district vet based in Warialda, says pestivirus can cause a range of clinical problems in a herd and can be a significant contributor to reduced herd productivity.
"The aim of the project is to assess the impact of bovine pestivirus on cattle herds in the north east of the authority," he said.
"Specifically, we are looking to sample 40 herds, which will involve collecting tail hair samples from the worst 5 to 10 weaners in these herds, as these animals are the most likely to be infected with pestivirus.
"Based on the results we can establish prevalence of carriers, whether the disease is causing economic losses and provide advice for managing it.
"We are inviting cattle producers to register their interest for participating in the project – we are targeting cattle properties around Croppa Creek, Yetman, Boggabilla, with herds of over 100 breeders."
Pestivirus is spread in a herd by a persistently infected or “carrier” animal. A developing foetus which is exposed to the virus between 30 and 125 days of gestation can maintain the infection for life and become a carrier animal. Spread to other animals is by direct contact with the carrier animal or with its secretions.
Diseases due to pestivirus can be expressed as severe reproductive loss, ill thrift and diarrhoea, and respiratory disease to name a few.
Dr Irwin said a vaccine is available to control pestivirus, but knowing the status of your herd is important before taking any management steps.
"One way to determine the level of natural exposure in your herd is to blood test a cross section of the herd; but this project aims to identify carriers based on sampling tail hairs from ill-thrifty or slow growing weaners," said Dr Irwin.
If you are interested in participating in the project, and meet the criteria described above, contact the Warialda office of the North West LHPA on (02) 6729 1528.
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378