Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis — A summary of the disease and its control with emphasis on New Zealand conditions

Abstract

Extract

Formerly included in the “Bovine Mucosal Disease Complex”, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) is now considered to be a distinct viral entity with affiliations with the Herpes virus group. Additional to its original isolation as the causative agent of a respiratory illness (Madin et al., 1956), this virus has been principally associated with both vaginitis and abortion and to a lesser extent with such diverse clinical manifestations as meningoencephalitis, conjunctivitis, and balanoposthitis. Experimentally, IBR virus has been shown to produce mastitis following direct inoculation into the teat canal of lactating cows (Greig and Bannister, 1965) as well as a mucosal-like disease when administered to young calves (Baker et al. (1960). Thus, in view of the wide disease-producing potential of this virus, it would not be surprising if some association with bovine infertility could ultimately be established. So far, however, no direct role in this condition has been demonstrated.