Determination of seroprevalence and risk factors of bovine viral diarrhea in cows of the province of Pamplona

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is an endemic disease distributed worldwide distribution, it is responsible for reproductive disorders with high economic and sanitary impact. Serological diagnostics allow for estimating the spread of the virus in an unvaccinated population. A cross-sectional study was developed to determine the prevalence of BVD in the dairy area of the high mountains of Pamplona, which included identifying related risk factors. Three hundred twenty-four blood samples were collected from non-vaccinated cattle from 82 farms, according to Law 1774 and the ethics committee of the University of Pamplona. Forty-nine samples from 18 farms were positive with an individual prevalence of 15.12% and for farms of 21.95%. The questionnaire indicated that most of the farms had less than 20 animals, had no records and natural mating was the main reproductive system. The contact of cows with bulls from other farms constituted a risk factor. The prevalence for the region was lower than found in other studies in the country. Some management conditions should be improved to avoid risk factors and prevent the spread of the disease. It is important to determine the presence of persistently infected animals, for their subsequent replacement, as well as to implement systematic records on farms and to test new animals arriving on farms.