Abstract:
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is one of the most
economically important diseases of cattle that has
worldwide distribution and tend to be endemic in most
populations, although national and regional variations
occur (Kampa et al. 2008). The causative agent, BVD
virus (BVDV) is a member of the Pestivirus genus
within the family Flaviviridae (OIE 2008).
The BVD is capable of producing a broad range of
clinical signs, although infection manifests itself
without any obvious symptoms (subclinical). The
spread of BVDV infection through a herd is mainly
by persistently infected (PI) animals; such animals
harbor the virus for life and shed it in high
concentration without showing any immune response.
The elimination of PI animals is therefore paramount
in efforts to limit the spread of the virus, but a control
program also requires other components such as
determination of the herd’s initial BVDV status and
preventing the introduction of BVDV in non-infected
herds (Laureyns et al. 2009).
In Africa, few studies conducted on seroprevalence
of the disease have indicated that the prevalences were
varied from 70–83% (Muvavarirawa et al. 1995).
Although prevalences were reported in European and
some African countries, there is no research or
published information available as to these authors
knowledge on the investigation of BVDV infection in
Ethiopia. Thus, the objectives of this study were to
detect the presence of BVDV infection and to
determine the prevalence and associated factors in
three agroecological zones in Ethiopia.
