New BVD positives may raise biosecurity and stock movement concerns

The local incidence of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has remained steady at between 2-3% over the past two years in NI.

However, the Animal Health and Welfare NI (AHWNI) reports that the previous downward trend has stalled, with sporadic cases continuing to raise concern.

Over half of the herds that experienced breakdowns with infection detected in the past three months had BVD positive animals present on-farm last winter.

This is linked to the critical period when the dams of the latest positives would have been infected, suggesting that the source of the current infections is most likely the previous cases.

Highest incidences occur across border regions

AHWNI reports that the highest incidences of BVD have been recorded in Newry, Armagh and Enniskillen DVO areas, accounting for half of all positive cases.

A further quarter of the herds with BVD infection had introduced new stock, some of which were in-calf. These are being considered as potential sources of infection.

AHWNI encourages farmers to determine the BVD status of purchased animals and, if infection was present, to identify when any positives were removed.

Farmers are urged to euthanise BVD-positive calves on-farm and dispose of them through licensed channels. Retaining infected calves poses a serious risk to other cattle, both on the farm and nearby.