Incidence, diagnosis and prevention of infectious rhinotracheitis and pustulous vulvovaginitis in Switzerland
Steck, F.; Huggler, C.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 117(8): 439-451
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 169568 Document Number: 91202
IBR/IPV virus infections of cattle are rare in Switzerland. They occur almost exclusively in the genital form. Only one outbreak of respiratory disease has been seen so far. IBR-abortions have not been diagnosed. Serological surveys with a sensitive neutralization test showed 0.2% positive females and 2% positive bulls. The three Swiss artificial insemination centres (total of 360 bulls) showed no evidence of active infections. Except for one doubtful animal, 11 serologically positive or doubtful bulls were eliminated before June 1973. Only serologically negative bulls are admitted to the AI centres. They are tested before entering the centre and again about 3 weeks later. The importation of semen is only permitted from serologically negative bulls. If the station of origin does have serological reactors then the semen is tested in addition for virus. In the present situation of low incidence vaccination of cattle or bulls against IBR/IPV appears undesirable, particularly in view of the possible pathogenic effects of live vaccine virus.