Vet September 2017.indd

As many European countries are currently engaged in infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) control programmes, it is widely believed that an Irish IBR eradication scheme will be realised in the very near future. In fact, a growing movement across the EU to eradicate IBR could be a barrier to trade for Irish livestock as, under EU legislation, Member States who have compulsory disease eradication programmes in place (Article 9 status) or who have freedom from particular diseases (Article 10 status), such as IBR, are entitled to additional guarantees when bovine animals are being traded into these states or regions. Currently, IBR eradication has been prioritised for action by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) and a Technical Working Group of AHI has been considering options for such an eradication programme over the last number of years. Furthermore, Foodwise 2025 states that a national eradication programme will be initiated in 2019. This is subject to a cost-benefit analysis which is currently underway. IBR, caused by a herpes virus, BoHV-1, has been diagnosed in cattle in Ireland since 1989. It is, primarily, a viral respiratory disease of cattle, spread by nose-to-nose contact, through the air or even on contaminated equipment and personnel. It can also be transmitted venereally or spread via semen. Therefore, bulls with any evidence of BoHV-1 exposure, are prohibited from entering semen collection centres. Infection with IBR virus is very common in Irish dairy and beef herds, with evidence of exposure in 70%-80% of herds.1 Infection with BoHV-1 may result in either clinical or subclinical disease (see Table 1) and following infection, cattle are considered to be lifelong carriers of the virus which can subsequently be shed intermittently from the airways and reproductive tract. Pyrexia Sudden milk drop Nasal and/or ocular discharge +/inflammation Pharyngitis Dyspnoea with/without coughing Poor conception rate/abortion Dullness Anorexia Death Neurological signs in calves