Cohort Study of Bovine Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Cavery Delta Districts of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a Sheep derived lethal viral disease mainly affecting Bovidae, cervids and other ruminant species. Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1) and ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) are the two most widely prevalent causative organisms for tropical MCF. Wildebeest associated MCF (WA-MCF) in cattle is prevalent in African sub-continent. The OvHV-2 is prevalent in domestic sheep as a sub-clinical infection and causes sheep associated MCF (SA-MCF) in susceptible ruminants. In India, the detection of cases of SA-MCF in cattle and OvHV-2 infection in sheep during the last decade has established the presence of the virus in native sheep of the country. The present study documents the presence of bovine MCF in Cavery delta districts of Tamilnadu.