Managing viral challenges in dairy calves: strategies for controlling viral infections

Abstract

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and bovine rotavirus (BRV) are common viral infections in dairy calves, resulting in significant economic losses in the dairy industry. BCoV causes severe diarrhea and respiratory disease, with transmission primarily occurring through the fecal-oral and respiratory routes, respectively. BRSV causes acute respiratory tract infections and is primarily transmitted via direct contact with aerosol droplets. BVDV induces diarrhea, respiratory infections, and decreases weight gain. BRV poses a global threat to the dairy sector, causing acute diarrhea and high mortality in neonatal calves. This highly contagious virus results in economic losses for farmers owing to reduced weight gain, treatment costs, and calf fatalities. BRV, primarily affecting 1–3-week-old calves, is caused by serogroup A rotaviruses, constituting 95% of cases. Its resistance to disinfectants, high infectivity, and persistence make it a formidable infectious agent. The diagnosis of these infections involves a combination of clinical signs, laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations. Diagnostic methods, including immunological tests, culture, PCR, and serology, assist in the diagnosis of these pathogens. The treatment includes supportive care and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections. Prevention and control strategies encompass early colostrum feeding, vaccination, proper housing, feeding, and management practices, along with biosecurity measures and rigorous hygiene practices to minimize their impact on calf health and industry. The dairy industry can prevent and control these infections by implementing appropriate measures and using effective vaccines to minimize the impact on animal health, welfare, and productivity. Further research is needed to better understand the epidemiology and characterization of viral infections in dairy calves.

Keywords:

• Virus
• diarrhea
• pneumonia
• septicemia
• vaccination
• dairy calves

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Pedro Gonzalez-Redondo, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Plant & Animal Ecology
• Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
• Natural History - Evolution and General Biology

Acknowledgements

We express our sincere gratitude to the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Ethiopia for their invaluable assistance in this review. Their expertise and support have been essential for maintaining the accuracy and quality of my work. Furthermore, I extend heartfelt thanks to all the individuals and organizations who have contributed to this review. Whether by providing data, perspectives, or comments, their assistance is crucial in helping me achieve the objectives of this review.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Dereje Tulu Robi contributed to the conception and design, analysis and interpretation of the data, and the drafting of the paper. Tesfa Mossie and Shiferaw Temteme were involved in revising it critically for intellectual content. All authors have given final approval for the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Data availability statement

The corresponding author will provide the data used in the current study upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dereje Tulu Robi

Dereje Tulu Robi is a senior researcher at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Tepi Agricultural Research Center. His research work focuses on veterinary epidemiology. He has published several papers in various scientific journals.

Tesfa Mossie

Tesfa Mossie is a researcher at EIAR, Jimma Agriculture Research Center. His research work focuses on veterinary microbiology. He has published several papers in various scientific journals.

Shiferaw Temteme

Shiferaw Temteme is a researcher at EIAR, Tepi Agricultural Research Center. He has conducted various research projects on animal production and forage agronomics. He has published several papers in various scientific journals.