Thematic Network on Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVDV) Control

• Forschungsstelle: EU FRP
• Projektnummer: 02.0458-1
• Projekttitel Englisch: Thematic Network on Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVDV) Control

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Safety; Scientific Research; Social Aspects

Alternative Projektnummern (Englisch)

EU project number: QLK2-CT-2002-01573

Forschungsprogramme (Englisch)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.2 Control of infectious diseases

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

See abstract

Abstract (Englisch)

Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections cause large annual economic losses to the European cattle industry (e.g. £31M in one EU country). Infection with BVDV also has a negative impact on animal welfare. There are two main options for disease control
1) zoo-sanitary and;
2) vaccination - the first has proven successful in some countries, the latter need further development to be efficient.

An increasing number of regions in Europe are planning control programs for BVDV using both of these approaches. The overall objective is, for the first time, to establish an international group of European specialists that in a holistic manner can identify the gaps in our knowledge vital for the control of BVDV, provide guidelines for future evolvement, support policy makers and coordinate ongoing and future research. Lessons learned from BVDV control can be applied when making decisions regarding handling of other endemic infections in Europe.

Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections has a high prevalence in Europe, causes large annual economic losses to the cattle industry and has a negative impact on animal welfare. A cost-benefit evaluation of zoo-sanitary control in one Scandinavian country yielded a positive net present value of £4M for the first five years. New regions in Europe are about to launch action and need to decide whether to apply a zoo-sanitary or a vaccination strategy. The overall objective is, for the first time in Europe, to establish a group of scientists, program managers, governmental and industry representatives with experience in BVDV control. This network will identify the gaps in our knowledge vital for BVDV control, provide guidelines for future development, support European policy makers and coordinate ongoing and future research on this subject in Europe. May aspects of BVDV control are of general nature and may be used for decision, regarding other endemic diseases in Europe.

Datenbankreferenzen (Englisch)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 02.0458-1