Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) is an acute, highly contagious respiratory disease caused by bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1). The disease has had a major impact on the cattle breeding industry worldwide.

Clinical symptoms

Respiratory symptoms

Fever: elevated body temperature, usually over 40°C.

Nasal secretion: initially clear watery nasal mucus, which then turns viscous or even purulent.

Cough: persistent dry cough.

Dyspnea: rapid and difficult breathing, sometimes accompanied by wheezing.

Inflammation of the nasal passages: redness and swelling of the nasal passages, which may become ulcerated and crusted.

Reproductive symptoms (reproductive IBR)

Abortion: abortion may occur in pregnant cows following infection, usually in the second trimester.

Inflammation of the reproductive tract: Includes vaginitis, endometritis, and orchitis.

Eye symptoms (conjunctivitis type IBR)

Conjunctivitis: redness and tearing of the eyes, which can lead to corneal ulcers in severe cases.

Systemic symptoms

Malaise: loss of energy and appetite.

Decrease in milk production: decrease in milk production of dairy cows.

Transmission route

Direct contact: spread through contact with secretions and excretions (such as snot, saliva, urine, milk, etc.) of infected cows.

Airborne transmission: The virus can be transmitted through airborne droplets, especially in confined and poorly ventilated environments.

Vertical transmission: Pregnant cows can pass the virus to their fetuses through the placenta.

Sexual transmission: through the semen of infected bulls.

Indirect transmission: through contaminated feed, drinking water, equipment, personnel and means of transportation.

Clinical diagnosis

Clinical symptoms: preliminary diagnosis based on typical respiratory symptoms and medical history.

Laboratory tests:

Virus isolation: isolate the virus from nasal secretions, eye secretions, fetal tissues, etc.

PCR test: detection of viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm infection.

Serologic testing: e.g., enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect viral antibodies in serum to assess infection.

Immunofluorescence assay: detection of viral antigens in infected tissues.

Preventive and curative measures

Prevention

Vaccination: the herd is regularly vaccinated against IBR, including inactivated and weakly virulent vaccines, to prevent infection. Vaccination can significantly reduce clinical signs and virus transmission.

Strict quarantine: Strictly quarantine and isolate newly introduced cattle to ensure that they are disease-free before mixing with the herd.

Biosecurity measures: Maintain environmental hygiene in the barn and disinfect regularly to prevent virus transmission. Avoid contact with infected cattle.

Management and Surveillance: Regularly monitor the health status of the herd, and identify and treat infected cases in a timely manner.

Treatment

Symptomatic treatment: there are no specific drugs to treat IBR infection, mainly relying on symptomatic treatment. Provide supportive treatment such as antipyretics, antibiotics to prevent secondary infection, vitamin and electrolyte supplementation.

Isolation management: isolate infected cattle to prevent the spread of the virus.

Control measures

Culling of sick cattle: culling out of severely infected cattle, especially those with recurrent illnesses, is recommended.

Purification program: Gradually purify IBR virus from cattle through vaccination and strict management measures.

Bovine Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Antibody Rapid Test

Antigenne has developed a Bovine Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Antibody Rapid , which is fast, easy to operate and highly accurate, and can provide effective help for users to detect Bovine Infectious Rhinotracheitis infection.