BOVINE VIRAL DISEASES

1: FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE (FMD)

This is extremely contagious disease of all cloven-footed (even-
toed) animals characterized by high fever, formation of vesicles
on the mucosal membrane of oral cavity, udder and interdigital
spaces.

Animal affected are Cattle, Water buffaloes, Sheep, Goats, Pigs,

Gazelles, Impala, Antelopes (and African buffalo = often
subclinical), HORSES and DONKEY NOT AFFECTED.

Morbidity varies with the animal’s species, breeds, pre-existing

immunity, as well as the dose of virus.

Mortality rates is higher in young animals than in adults (80%

versus 2%).
 CAUSES
o RNA virus (Ophthovirus) under family of Piconarviridae.

o There are 7 immunologically distinct strains of virus: A, O, C, South

African Territory (SAT)-1, SAT-2, SAT-3 and ASIA-1.
o Four serotypes have been isolated and identified in Tanzania (A, O,
SAT 1 & SAT 2), and most FMD outbreaks are caused by serotype O,
followed by serotype A and SAT2.

o The epidemiology of FMD in Africa is influenced by two different

patterns; cycle involving wildlife - African buffalo and an independent
cycle maintained within livestock.
o Over 60 subtypes of virus have been identified and new subtypes
continue to develop. Many of subtypes differ antigenically thus
require preparation of subtype vaccines for their control.

o The antigenic variation of the virus and the limited cross protection
among strains complicate the preparation of a single vaccine that
protects against all strains.
 Transmission:
 Animal gets the infection through either inhalation or ingestion.
 Virus transmission.
1) Aerosol transmission: droplets from infected animals (airdrops, fluid-filled
vesicles; saliva, urine, faeces, semen, milk, tears, nose, prepuce and
vagina). These can move over distances as great as 30 miles under certain
weather conditions
2) Direct Spread: By infected animals (salivary gland secretions of infected
animals contaminating the environment) carrier animals (retain virus in the
retropharyngeal region up to 5 years) or contaminated humans (by carrying
the virus on clothing or skin).
 Recovered animals remain carriers of FMD for weeks, months or years
Occasionally disseminating the virus and thus likely to initiate new outbreaks

1) Indirect Spread: By transportation of the virus on inanimate objects and

contaminated animal products; uncooked / unprocessed meat, milk,
contaminated water, hay and other animal by products.

 The most common mechanism of spread (arranged by order) are:

1. Movement of infected animals,
2. Movement of contaminated animal products (meat, milk, semen, skins),
3. Spread on fomites, vehicles or by people, and
4. Windborne spread (spread over considerable distances under favorable climate.
 CLINICAL SIGNS
oIncubation period: 1 - 5 days
a) The onset of FMD is
proceeded/heralded by a
drastic fall in milk production
(lactating cows) and lameness
(foot lesions).

b) High temperature (40 – 41oC).

c) Severe depression and

anorexia.

d) Acute painful stomatitis.

e) Excessive Salivation: saliva

hangs in a long ropey string
and the animal chews
carefully.
f) Appearance of vesicles (1 – 2
cm in diameter) on the buccal
mucosa, dental pad and the
tongue. Vesicles rupture
within 24 hours allowing flow
of straw-colored fluid,
leaving a raw painful surface
which heals in about a week.

g) Extensive lesions on the

coronary band may lead to
sloughing of the hoof and
lameness. Foot lesions may
involve one or more of the
feet.

h) Pregnant animals may abort

or deliver stillborn.
g) Calves (young animals) are
rather susceptible than adult,
and heavy mortality may
occur during an outbreak
without typical lesion being
present; only MYOCARDITIS
causing hemorrhages in the
heart.

h) A SEQUEL TO FMD IN
CATTLE (due to endocrine
damage):
1) Chronic syndrome of dyspnea
2) Anemic syndrome
3) Hair overgrowth
4) Heat intolerance (panting
syndrome)

i) MOBIDITY is 100% and

MORTALITY is 50% (in
calves).
 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

1. Mucosal Disease: (Lesion in buccal cavity,

conjunctivitis, diarrhea & dysentery.)
2. Rinderpest: (Lacrimation, discrete lesions
(not vesicles), diarrhea & dysentery.)
3. Malignant catarrhal fever: (Necrotic
lesions, nasal discharge, CNS signs &
diarrhea)
4. Vesicular stomatitis: (Affect also horses,
confirmed in laboratory)
 DIAGNOSIS
i. Epidemiology: Host, morbidity and mortality.
ii. Clinical signs: vesicular lesions.
iii. Serological test: Complementary fixation test, Serum
Neutralizing test and ELISA.
iv. Animal inoculation: (Intradermal injection of fresh vesicular fluid into
the plantar pads of the guinea pigs. Vesicles appear on pads in 1 – 7 days
and secondary vesicles in the mouth 1 – 2 days later).

TREATMENT
1. Treatment with mild disinfectants on inflamed areas for
prevention of secondary infection is recommended.

2. Symptomatic treatment: e.g. use of Antibiotics to reduce

fever and control secondary infection
 CONTROL
1. Quarantine: Restrict movement of animals and by products
in and out of the affected area.

2. Slaughtering policy: Slaughter all affected animals and

compensate the farmers (not applicable in developing
countries).

3. Treat animal products: Example, pasteurelization of milk.

4. Vaccination: vaccine types depend
on the serotype.
o Vaccinate all animals around the outbreak
(ring or barrier vaccination).

o Annual vaccination in endemic areas:

vaccination can be done once, twice or three
times per year depending on the challenge.

o Immunity lasts for 4 – 6 months and sometimes

up to 1 year.
 Humans as Carrier of FMD
 Humans are recognized to be one of the principle
disseminators of FMD as they are extremely mobile, widely
distributed and their movements are difficult to control.

 Humans may act as mechanical vectors (including virus

carried on skin/hair and in respiratory tract).

 Precautionary period for humans considered as potential for

transmission of FMD virus following contact with infected
animals is three to five days.

 FMDV may survive at least 11 – 14 weeks on boots.

 Humans may also transport contaminated material such as

soil or feces on their shoes, and these may remain infective
for considerable periods of time.
 2: EPHEMERAL FEVER (SYN: THREE DAYS SICKNESS)

 This is arthropod – transmitted disease of cattle and

buffaloes characterized by transitory fever,
lymphadenopathy, watery nasal discharge and myositis,
(mostly lasting for three days).

ETIOLOGY:
• Virus classified as Rhabdovirus

EPIDEMIOLOGY
 Occurs in low-lying areas, damply areas, near river or at
the onset of rainy season.
 Insects transmission, Culicoides and Mosquitoes.
However, the disease may occur in areas where insects
are not found.
 CLINICAL SIGNS
1) Biphasic fever and shivering
2) Inappetence (anorexia)
3) Lacrimation
4) Watery (serous) nasal discharge
5) Dyspnoea
6) Atony of forestomach
7) Depression
8) Stiffness and sometimes lameness (due to myositis)
9) Recumbence (8 hours to more than a week).
10) Drop in milk production and abortion may occur.

NB: Bulls and heavy cattle are most severely affected

animals.
 DIAGNOSIS

1. Clinical signs
2. Serological tests
3. Isolation of virus

TREATMENT
a) Complete rest is the most effective treatment
b) Anti inflammatory drug if given early are helpful
c) Antibiotic to control secondary infection
d) Calcium borogluconate given to recumbent animals.
 3: LUMPY SKIN DISEASE
 This is highly infectious skin disease of cattle
characterized by the sudden appearance of
intracutenous nodules on all body parts.

ETIOLOGY
Lumpy skin disease virus, a member of the genus Capripoxvirus and
family Poxviridae.

EPIDEMIOLOGY
 All ages and breeds of cattle are susceptible except animals
recently recovered from an attack.
 Biting insects have been suspected as vectors.
 Other transmissions include direct contact, through saliva.
 Artificial infection (by inoculation of cutaneous nodular suspension or blood during
the early febrile stages, or by feed / water contaminated with saliva from infected animals).
 CLINICAL SIGNS
An incubation period of 2 - 4 weeks is
common in field outbreak.

a) High temperature.

b) Multiple nodules appear on the

skin; round and firm, varying sizes
from 1 - 4 cm in diameter and
flattened at the surface.

i. Nodules in the skin and

subcutaneous tissue,
sometimes coalesce and form
large lumpy lesion called “SIT
FASTS”

ii. Nodules may ulcerate and

suppurative materials with
rotten smell.
c) Nodules may develop in the mucosa
of GIT, respiratory and genital
tracts, which late on ulcerate.

d) Nodules on conjunctiva cause

severe lacrimation.

e) Nodules on leg cause edema, and

may lead to necrosis and sloughing
off of skin

f) Lymphadenitis may be present.

g) Mastitis may occur if udder is

involved

Morbidity rate is 50% while

Mortality rate is less than 10%
 PM PICTURE
1. Necrotic ulcers in the nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx,
trachea, bronchi, and stomach.
2. Pneumonia may be present.

DIAGNOSIS
a) Clinical signs
b) Serological testes: Fluorescent Antibiotic tests
c) Isolation of Virus.
d) Histopathological examination: presence of inclusion
bodies in section of nodule.

TREATEMENT
1. No specific treatment is available.
2. Prevention of secondary infection: the use of Antibiotics
or Sulfonamides is recommended.
 CONTROL
a) Vaccination of susceptible cattle.

Quarantine and restriction of movement are useless.

 4: RINDERPEST (SYN: CATTLE PLAQUE, SOTOKA)

 This is an acute, highly contagious disease characterized

by high fever, focal and erosive lesions confined largely
to the mucosa of the alimentary tract.

 The disease affects ruminants (cattle, goats, buffaloes,

giraffes & wildebeest) and rarely swine.

AETIOLOGY
 RNA virus: Morbillivirus (family Paramyxoviridae)

 The virus have some antigenic relationship to the virus of

Canine Distemper (Canine), Newcastle disease (Poultry),
Measles (Surua = Man) and Peste des Petits Ruminants
(Sheep & Goats).
 EPIDEMIOLOGY
1. The disease occurs worldwide with exception of North
America.

2. In outbreaks (occurring in highly susceptible population),

morbidity rate up to 100% and Mortality rate of 50%.

3. Wild ruminants (e.g. Buffaloes and warthogs) are common

source of infection and are of great hindrance to an
eradication programs.

4. Among the races of cattle, the zebus are most resistant.

5. Close contact between infected and susceptible animals is

usually necessary for spread of disease to occur.

6. Infected animals transmit the disease by discharging virus

through aerosol droplets derived from saliva, nasal and ocular
secretions.
CLINICAL SIGNS
The incubation period ranges from 6 – 9
days

1. The first sign is high fever (40oC –

41.5oC) without localizing signs.
2. Then follows: Anorexia, a fall in milk
production, and a harsh, staring coat.
3. There is inflammation of the buccal and
nasal mucosa, conjunctivitis, hyperemia
of vagina mucosa and swelling of vulva.
4. Serous lacrimation, which late on
become profuse, purulent and normally
accompanied by blepharospasm
5. Profuse salivation, which may be blood-
stained and late on purulent as mouth
lesions develop.
6. Serous nasal discharge, which
changes to purulent.
7. Discrete necrotic lesions inside the
lower lips, gums, cheek mucosa,
tongue, nasal, vulva and vaginal
mucosae.
8. Severe diarrhea and sometimes
dysentery with tenesmus.
9. After a period of illness lasting from 3
– 5 days, there is a sudden fall in
temperature accompanied by
dyspnoea, coughing, severe
dehydration and sometimes abdominal
pain.
10. Death occurs within 24 hours after a
fall in temperature.
11. In enzootic areas, the disease is
subacute X2 by mild symptoms of
irregular fever, mild catarrhal
inflammation with or without diarrhoea
 POSTMORTEM CHANGES
1) Small, discrete, necrotic areas in the mucosa of mouth,
pharynx, esophagus, nasal cavity, abomasums and small
intestines.
2) Congestion, swelling and erosion of vulval and vaginal
mucosae.
3) Haemorrhages at the iliocaecal junction; the haemorrhages
are in transverse way, often called ZEBRA STRIPES
4) Haemorrhages in heart and lungs and, edematous urinary
bladder.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
1. FMD: (Vesicle formation)
2. Malignant catarrhal fever: (Eye lesion and CNS changes)
3. Mucosal disease: (Sporadic occurrence)
4. Blue tongue: (Sheep and goats only)
 DIAGNOSIS
1.Epidemiology: large number of animals affected
2.Clinical signs
3.Serological tests: CFT, ELISA, AGD (Agar Gel Diffusion)

TREATMENT
Not recommended because of danger of disseminating the
disease

CONTROL
Rinderpest is a notifiable disease
1.Quarantine
2.Vaccination: Ring or barrier vaccination and
Annual vaccination of all susceptible animals

1.Slaughter policy: Not feasible in developing countries

5: MALIGNANT CATARRHAL FEVER
(MCF)
 This is an acute, sporadic, highly fatal infectious disease
of cattle X2 by erosive stomatitis, gastroenteritis, erosions
in the upper respiratory tract, keratoconjunctivitis,
encephalitis and lymphadenitis.

ETIOLOGY: Herpesvirus – 1

EPIDEMIOLOGY
MCF is common in Wildebeest causing no harm, but when the infection spills-
over into cattle, a highly fatal disease occurs.
Outbreaks in cattle associated with contact of cattle with wildebeest (during
calving period).
Sheep (ewe) also act as carriers
The disease affects cattle and water buffaloes only.
Morbidity is 1 - 2% while mortality is 99%.
 TRANSMISSION
The spread of disease from infected animal or carrier to
susceptible cattle is through contact (direct contact)

The virus is present in the nasal and ocular secretions whereby the
rate of contaminating the environment is high but the virus does not
live long in the normal air.

 In Tanzania, the outbreak occurs during February and June, which

is associated with calving season of wildebeests.

CLINICAL SIGNS
The incubation period: 9 days to 9 weeks (average 3 weeks)
1. Anorexia and extremely Dullness.
2. Persistent high temperature (41.5oC)
3. Profuse mucopurulent nasal discharge (bilateral)
4. Ocular discharge with variable degree of edema
of the eyelids, blepharospasms and congestion
of eye capillaries.
5. Lymphadenitis

6. Diarrhea and dysentery

7. Necrotic areas in the

nasal cavity, buccal
mucosa, hard palate, gum
and gingivae.

8. Necrotic lesions may

occur at the skin-horn
junction, teats, vulva,
scrotum, and in acute
cases the skin may slough
off.

9. Salivation (excessive) with

saliva hanging and ropey.
10. Nervous signs: weakness in one
leg, incoordination, head
pressing (pushing), paralysis
and convulsion at final stage

11. Ocular discharge with variable

degree of edema of the eyelids,
blepharospasms, congestion of
eye capillaries and later on
opacity of the cornea:
commencing as a narrow, gray
ring at peripheral spreading
centripetally.

 In per-acute cases; Course of

disease 1 - 3 days.

 Typical cases; illness lasts for 3

- 7 days.
 POSTMORTEM LESIONS
1. Erosive lesions in the mouth, nasal cavity, pharynx, alimentary tract,
urinary bladder, kidney and eyes
2. All lymph nodes are swollen, edematous and often haemorrhagic
3. Petechial haemorrhages as well as congestion in brain and
meninges
4. Dermatitis

DIAGNOSIS
 A definitive diagnosis of MCF is very difficult because of absence of
suitable virological technique
a) Epidemiology
b) Clinical signs
c) Pm lesions
d) Serological tests: Virus Neutralization tests (Wildebeests), CFT
 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
1.Rinderpest: Rapid spread, high mortality rate without opacity
2.Mucosal Disease: lesions in interdigital space & pneumonia
3.FMD: Vesicle formation without opacity

TREATMENT
•No effective treatment
•Prevent secondary infection by antibiotics

CONTROL
1.Keep away cattle and buffaloes from carrier animals
2.Isolate the affected animals from the herd
3.No effective vaccine is available to date.
 6: MUCOSAL DISEASE
 This is either acute, sub-acute or chronic disease of cattle X2 by
high fever, diarrhoea, abortion and CNS involvements.

ETIOLOGY:
 Caused by Pestivirus (Family Togaviridae)
 The same virus causes two distinct diseases:
1. Mucosal disease (fatal disease of calves) and
2. Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (subclinical infection)

EPIDEMIOLOGY
 The disease is worldwide spread affecting Cattle and water
buffaloes.
 Mostly affects young animals (4 – 8 months).

TRANSMISSION
1. Direct transmission (Through contact)
2. Indirect transmission (Formates; arthropods)
3. Vertical transmission (from dam to offspring)
 CLINICAL SIGNS
The incubation period is 1 – 3 weeks
(approximately 10 days)
1. Rise in temperature 42.5oC
2. Dullness
3. Inappetence due to lesions in buccal
cavity.
4. Nasal discharge; at early stage is
serous/watery late on becomes
mucopurulent and copious in nature.
5. Superficial erosive lesions occur in the
nasal cavity, but no vesicles.
6. Halitosis and Salivation (profuse).
7. Conjunctivitis and lacrimation.
8. Diarrhoea and dysentery but not severe
as in Rinderpest
9. Dehydration and emaciation
10. Chronic pneumonia (coughing)
11. Lesions on interdigital space,
lameness
12. Abortion or give birth to abnormal
calves with CNS disorders:
Poorly grown persistently-infected
Cerebellar hypoplasia, Cerebellar- BVDv calf.
ocular agenesis, ocular defects etc

 Morbidity rate is 25% while Mortality

rate is 90%

POSTMORTEM PICTURE
a) Dehydration
b) Ulcerative lesions along GIT
c) Pneumonic lungs Chronic pneumonia secondary to
persistent BVDv infection
 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
1.Malignant Catarrhal Fever: Presence of opacity in MCF.
2.FMD: Presence of Vesicles in FMD.
3.Johnes Disease: Diarrhoea without lesion in Johnes disease.
4.Rinderpest: High morbidity and Mortality rates, no coughing
and no abortion with CNS signs.

DIAGNOSIS
• Epidemiology: Morbidity, mortality and age factors
• Clinical signs
• Serological tests: CFT, ELISA, Gel diffusion precipitation (GDP)

TREATMENT
There is no specific treatment; the prognosis for severe cases is
unfavorable
CONTROL
a)No proper control measure is recommended
b)Animals with chronic disease should be culled and destroyed
 7: PAPILLOMATOSIS (Syn: WARTS)
 These are benign neoplastic lesions of the skin especially
around teats and necks.
 The neoplasms have a characteristic of crop like (Group)
rough on the skin.

ETIOLOGY
Papillomavirus (family Papovaviridae)
EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Common in housed calves.
• Spread by direct contact with infected animal
• Infection gains entry through cutaneous abrasion.
• Transplacental spread also occurs (particularly in horses)
• Morbidity and Mortality rates are very low.
CLINICAL SIGNS
The incubation period is 3 – 8
weeks or longer.

1. Warts are solid outgrowth of

epidermis / skins occurring
especially around the teats,
ventral of abdomen, neck,
vulva and penis.

2. The lesions (warts) may be

Sessile or pedunculated,
varying in size from 1 cm
upwards, they are dry, horny,
cauliflower-like appearance in
characteristics.
DIAGNOSIS

a) Epidemiology: Location,
species affected and age
of animals

b) Clinical signs

c) Tissue biopsy
 TREATMENT
 Papillomatosis is a self limiting disease, although the duration of
recovery varies considerably.

 A variety of treatments have been advocated without agreement on

efficacy.

1. Surgical removal of warts followed by application of tincture of

iodine.
NB: Cut few warts, others will regress spontaneously fast.

2. Autogenous vaccines: Take part of lesion, clean, grind, filter and

inject 1 mL of the supernatant intramuscularly to the animal, and
the animal will recover spontaneously.

CONTROL
 No specific control measure because the condition is
unpredictable