Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a disease characterized by acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. BoHV-1 infection can also sporadically cause abortion in cattle. BoHV-1 infection affects animal health and productivity causing significant economic losses to cattle producers. Its main significance is as a barrier to the export of live cattle to other regions or countries within Europe which have already eradicated the disease. It is also a significant disease for pedigree herds placing animals into AI stations. Bulls destined for use in AI are not permitted to have any antibodies to BoHV-1.
Advantages of Ibr Vaccine For Cattle
Lifetime herd approach
IBR protection for all animals from a young age
Clear, simple message
Reduction of virus shedding
Prevention of IBR abortion**
Labour saving as fewer vaccines required
Vaccination of the entire herd in December is both convenient & effective
Combining a live and an inactivated vaccine stimulates the immune response in different ways, resulting in a more complete immunity
No need to assess herd seroprevalence. It simply suits all herds.
Do not use in pregnant cattle (abortions can result) unless they were vaccinated, according to label directions, with any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine prebreeding initially and within 12 months thereafter. Do not use in calves nursing pregnant cows unless their dams were vaccinated within the past 12 months as described above. To help ensure safety in pregnant cattle, heifers must receive at least 2 doses of any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine with the second dose administered at least 30 days prebreeding.
Control of IBR is based on four equally important aspects:
Selective culling – Reduction of circulating virus can be achieved with the introduction of a vaccination program and progressive culling of those animals that are identified as a potential source of the virus. In farms with a very low sero-prevalence (proportion that are positive on an antibody test) culling without vaccination can be an option. However in most farms due to the high sero-prevalence it is not economically feasible to test and cull all the sero-positive animals.
Biosecurity – Maintaining biosecurity involves avoiding introduction of infected animals into the herd and/or implementing stict isolation / quarantine of introductions until proven negative, and restricting access of livestock to external sources of infection e.g. double fencing is in place at all perimeters, considering carefully sources of biological materials such as embryos, semen etc.
Vaccination – The use of live vaccines is preferred above the inactivated ones because of the superior efficacy in clinical protection and more importantly in reduction of the virus circulation in newly infected animals. MSD Animal health market live (Bovilis IBR Marker Live) and inactivated (Bovilis IBR Marker Inac) vaccines. Further product specific information on Bovilis IBR Marker Live or on Bovilis IBR Marker Inac may be obtained by clicking on the relevant product of interest for your region under the product list tab on the MSD Animal Health homepage. Bovilis IBR Marker Live can now conveniently be mixed with Bovilis BVD and given on the same day for booster vaccination.
Monitoring – This varies depending on the nature and risk status of your herd. Appropriate screening programmes can be discussed with your local veterinary practitioner.