Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever in cattle: an update

• DOI: 10.12968/live.2024.29.2.74
• Publication Date: 2024-03-06T16:42:05Z
• Authors: Joseph W Angell; Eleanor G Bentley; James P Stewart

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) is a frequently fatal disease of many species including cattle, caused by ovine herpes virus-2. Sheep are the main reservoir host and transmit virus to other species, usually via aerosol. Clinical signs in affected animals can impact various body systems, infection be sub-clinical become latent. No specific treatments exist, empirical generally unrewarding. Occasionally some may survive, but there remains chronic arteriopathy. Currently, controlled on farms reducing contact between susceptible hosts sheep as much possible, although vaccine would useful protective strategy should one developed.