Understanding the impact and control of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea in cattle populations

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) affects cattle populations around the world, with significant financial consequences. The losses associated with BVD stem from reproductive loss (in acutely infected cattle), poor productivity of immunotolerant, persistently infected cattle, and indirect losses due to increased occurrence of other diseases because of BVD-related immunosuppression. Control or eradication of BVD is a valuable strategy to reduce losses and ease animal suffering and appears economically justified in the many programs active around the world. This review briefly outlines the epidemiology of BVD and explores the financial implications of infection and the measures that can be taken to reduce them, with an emphasis on the role of diagnostic tests in control programs.