Herpes in Cattle | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Herpes Infection in Cattle

Global Spread

• Originally confined to Africa, herpes infection in cattle is now emerging in Britain, the U.S., and Australia.
• The BHV 2 infection appears to be becoming a global issue, although no cases have been reported in India so far.

Forms of Disease

• The virus manifests in two primary forms: Pseudo LSD (lumpy skin disease) and ovine mammillitis.
• Flies, arthropods, and ticks are suspected as transmitting agents for the virus.

Pseudo LSD

• This form displays multiple skin lesions, particularly in animals native to tropical regions.
• The lesions are firm, round, raised nodules with flat surfaces and a central core, about three cm in diameter.
• On hairy skin, exudate and necrotic superficial layers form a dry scab on each lesion.
• As the scab separates from the dead hair, a hairless pigmented scar forms, and hair slowly begins to regrow.

Mammillitis in Dairy Cows

• Dairy cows are affected by the mammillitis form of the disease, particularly primiparous cows within five days of calving.
• Lesions are usually concentrated in the teats and udder, leading to necrosis of superficial layers, ulcers on the teats, and skin gangrene of the udder.
• Calves that suckle from infected cows develop ulcers on the muzzle and lips.
• Treatment is challenging, with systemic antibiotics and antihistamines showing no apparent effect.
• Light application of emollients before milking can provide some relief, and preparations of halogenated deoxyuridine have inhibitory effects on viral multiplication.
• Hygiene measures such as milking affected cows separately and dipping teat cups in iodophore disinfectant can help prevent the transmission of mammillitis.