EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON BOVINE EPHEMERAL FEVER VIRUS (BEFV) INFECTION IN CATTLE AND BUFFALOES IN EGYPT

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 156 cattle and buffaloes. The age of these animals between 6 months to 4years, they examined during the period from January 2018 to September 2019. These animals from different localities in Assiut, sohag and El-Menia governorates. The investigated animals characterized by sudden onset of fever in 25.64% (40 /156) ranged from 40˚ to 42˚C associated with severe congested mucous membranes, dry muzzle, foamy salivation, dullness, sickness, shivering and trembling, rapid shallow respiration in 19.23% (30/156) and ruminal stasis in 25% (39/156), enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. 7.05% (11/156) and 6.41% (10/156) of the examined cases showed drop in milk production and abortion, respectively. Little number of cases showed recumbency, subcutaneous emphysema and lameness respectively 1.28% (2/156), 0.64% (1/156) and 3.21% (5/156). The serological detection for ephemeral fever virus antigen was 9.52% (8 /84), and 4.76% (2 / 42) were positive for virus antibodies. 40/ 50 (80%) were positive for RT-PCR. The prevalence of infection was 17.95% (28/156) in Assiut governorate, 5.77% (9/ 156) in Sohag, 1.92% (3/ 156) in El-Menia. Frezian breeds had higher rate of infection 13.46% (21/156) than native breeds 6.41% (10/156) followed by buffaloes was 5.77% (9/156). The infection in females was 17.31% (27 / 156) but in males was 8.33% (13 / 156). The age group >2-4 years (13.45%) was more susceptible to virus infection than age group 6 months-2 years (12.5%). The infection rate was higher in hot months 19.23% (30/156) than non-hot months 6.41% (10/156).