Indian J. Vet. Med. Vol. 40, No. 1, 2020 pp.
33-34 Short Communications
Outbreak of Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF) in an organized dairy farm of Punjab
D.K. Gupta1* and Vishal Mahajan2
1
Department of Veterinary Medicine, 2Animal Disease Research Centre, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal
Sciences University, Ludhiana
Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF), a noncontagious
inflammatory disease is caused by the bovine ephemeral
fever virus of family Rhabdoviridae and genus
Ephemerovirus and affects cattle for short duration (Uren
et al., 1992). Various other local names such as 3-day
sickness, bovine enzootic fever, bovine influenza or
stiffseitke are in use for BEF. The life cycle of BEF virus is
maintained through a vector-host system (Murray, 1997).
The virus agent is spread by various species of midges and
mosquitoes (Venter et al., 2003) or by movement of the
host (Murray, 1997). Outbreaks of BEF occur when vector
population probably mosquitoes increase in number,
resulting in high rates of virus transmission to susceptible
cattle. There can be considerable economic impacts of
BEF which primarily entail cessation of lactation in
dairy cattle, loss of condition in beef animals, and the
immobilisation of water buffalo used for draught purpose
(Aziz-Boaron et al., 2014).
An organized dairy cattle farm of Chunni Kala,
Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab in the month of August, 2018
had problem of high fever, acute lameness with some
respiratory distress, sudden drop in milk production, and
death of 2 animals during last fortnight. On visiting the
farm, it was found that a total of 10 (9.09%) adult cows
out of 110 heads were affected clinically with clinical
signs of sudden rise of body temperature (104-106 ̊F),
salivation, shivering, inappetance, suspended rumination
and acute lameness with stiffness of limbs. Some animals
became recumbent. The blood samples from five affected
animals and one healthy cow were collected. The
hematological examination revealed relative neutrophilia
with mild left shift. The blood samples were negative for
hemoprotozoan. Fecal samples were negative for ova
or cyst. In affected animals, calcium levels were found
lower than normal and creatinine kinase levels higher
than normal. Nasal swabs of affected cows were negative
for Pasturella multocida. Fodder samples were subjected
to nitrate/ nitrite examination but found negative. Feed
sample, TMR and silage were negative for aflatoxins. All
the animals were magnet fed and no per rectal findings
*Corresponding author: drdhirajvet@yahoo.co.in
were there so TRP was ruled out. Based on history,
clinical and hemato-biochemical findings, the cases were
diagnosed of Bovine Ephemeral Fever. The treatment of
affected cows was comprised of Inj Tefrocef (Ceftiofur)
1 g IM bid, Inj. Artizone-S (Phenylbutazone 200 mg and
Sodium Salicylate 20 mg/ml) 15 ml IM bid, Inj. Mifex
(Dextrose, Calcium) 300 ml iv and 150 ml sc, Inj. Tribivet
(Vit B) for three days. Most animals improved in 2 days
post treatment and recovered completely within another
2 days. The owner of the farm was advised to separate
the affected cows from the healthy ones.
Bovine ephemeral fever is a viral disease of cattle
and buffaloes. Its occurrence in the tropics cannot be
overlooked. The clinical severity of the disease is not
apparent and the mortality is low. The animals affected
in this outbreak were adult crossbred cows. Malviya and
Prasad (1977) also observed occurrence of disease more
frequently in Bos taurus/Bos indicus cross-bred animals
than in local breeds and the highest incidence occurred
in older cattle. In the present outbreak, sudden rise of
body temperature, salivation, shivering, inappetance,
suspended rumination, acute lameness with stiffness of
limbs and sternal recumbency in some cows were evident.
The clinical findings are in corroboration of Radostits
et al. (2005). The hemato-biochemical examination of
affected cows revealed relative neutrophilia with mild
left shift, lowered calcium levels and higher creatinine
kinase levels than normal. The recumbency in some
cows may be attributed to the hypocalcemia. Fenwick
and Daniel (1996) also observed a marked neutrophilic
leukocytosis with a shift to the left and a lymphopenia.
There was a marked increase in creatine kinase and
significant hypocalcemia in natural cases. The clinical
findings along with laboratory findings made the basis
of diagnosis.
The outbreak of the disease occurred in the
month of August. During this period, there is hot and
humid climate favours the growth of vectors. Malviya
and Prasad (1977) also reported the disease from April to
October with the highest incidence in July and August.
The cows got recovered after treatment with antibiotics,
34 Gupta and Mahajan

Table: Hemato-biochemical parameters in affected and healthy cows

Animal Hb TLC DLC Remarks Serum Biochemistry
identification (g %) ×103
028 7.2 8.8 N-56, L-44 Mild left shift Ca-7.1mg/dL, Creatinine Kinase
(CK)-732 U/L
014 7.6 6.5 N-58, L-42 Mild left shift Ca-5.6 mg/dl, CK -985
146 11.8 7.7 N-46, L-54 Mild to moderate left Ca- 6.5 mg/dl,
shift CK -1202 U/L
143 11.2 10.8 N-38, L-62 Mild left shift Ca-7.5 mg/dl,
CK -1104 U/L
51 9.0 4.5 N-64, L-36 Mild left shift Ca-5.9 mg/dl,
CK -823 U/L
01 (Healthy) 10.8 8.4 N-58, L-42 NAD Ca-8.3 mg/dl,
CK- 70 U/L
Normal Range Ca : 9.7 to 12.4 mg/dL; Creatinine Kinase: 35-280 units/L

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and calcium therapy.
St. George (1997) in an extensive study revealed that
palliative intramuscular treatment with the non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drug such as phenylbutazone resulted
in remission of signs without in any way influencing
the development of the disease. He further added that
parenteral treatment with calcium borogluconate proved
beneficial in recumbent cows due to hypocalcemia.
Similarly, Naikoo et al. (2011) reported a significant
response of phenylbutazone and salicylate during BEF
outbreak in indigenous cows.
Bovine ephemeral fever causes high morbidity,
huge economic losses in terms of significant reduction in
production along with a variety of complications resulting
from the disease. The present report emphasizes not to
overlook this disease and prompt diagnosis and treatment
should be initiated to avoid losses.
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Received : 24.02.2020
Accepted : 18.05.2020